New dragon owner - Need some expert advice.

[sleestak]

Greetings Folks-

I plan to be a first time beardie owner in about a week and could use some advice on the viv. I am nearly done building a 4x2x2 melamine viv with hinging front and top. I have ordered two Zoo Med dimmable lamp fixtures for basking light and heat emitter. I plan on getting 150 watt bulbs for each and using the dimmer to control temperatures. For UVB I plan on getting a 36 inch fluorescent fixture.

Sound OK so far?

Issue 1 - Can you recommend a fluorescent fixture (plug in type) that is easy to install securely to the top of the viv (link or store)? The top will be hinged and moved regularly for cleaning the viv etc so it needs to be solidly mounted. Is one bulb enough or should I opt for two? I know these puppies are expensive and need to be replaced often.

Issue 2 - ideally I would have basking lamp and heat emitter controlled by a thermostat. Is this feasible and can you recommend a set up or reference?

Issue 3 - Most references recommend a smaller viv for young dragons. Since mine will be 4x2x2 should I shorten it up temporarily with boards or take other measures to assure the beast can find food?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Adios, Joshua

 

[Soulwind]

Odds are that 150 watt bulbs are going to be too much for that type of enclosure,
and it's highly unlikely that you'll need both a basking bulb and a CHE (heat emitter) together.

Putting a secondary light of low wattage over on the cool side just to maintain temps and give some light over there is usually a good idea, and having a CHE in the middle or towards the cooler side for nighttime heat is acceptable (you may or may not need it depending on ambient temps).

Unfortunately most inexpensive thermostats are the On/Off type, which isn't workable for a basking light. You need the more expensive Proportional thermostats, and honestly, once you're "dialed in" to the right wattage and dimmer level, just a regular dimmer works almost as well. It just means you have to check the temps every once in a while [which you should be doing anyway, even thermostats go bad now and then].

As for size, I always use the statement of "just imaging how big his enclosure would be if he was living in the wild". There's really no such thing as too big. You do need to watch to make sure he's catching and eating all his buggies (and removing any that he doesn't eat..especially with crickets). But very few little ones have issues with having too much space to live in.