New enclsoure advice

[ZeroAnkoku]

Hey guys it's been a while! Always lurking though!

Anyways, with everything that's been going on lately with COVID-19 my job has been fairly hectic and I've been working more so than usual and have not had much time to post!

I had an amazing opportunity a few days ago and purchased a better enclosure for my beardie Bruni. Previously he was in a smaller setup that he would outgrow eventually. I purchased this new setup and want to make sure everything looks okay. I'm looking at changing up the tile, but placed what I had for now. I was thinking of potentially putting something natural at the front of the tile, but I know concerns with compaction etc. My question is if I placed his food on the tile would there still be issues with him potentially consuming the organic material? I've seen him lick things to "acquire knowledge" but not actively eat anything from the enclosure ie; fake plants. The basking bulb and UVB sit up top of the enclosure and seem good. Basking temps range between 107-110. UVB is perhaps my biggest concern, it's a T5 Reptisun 10.0, I was wanting to make sure that the metal gate wasn't filtering too much UVB. The holes are bigger and they are metal and not mesh. From his basking spot I say it's probably a good 10-11 inches or so from the top. Any tips or critique would be beneficial as I'm always looking at ways to improve his life. Thanks in advanced! Also don't mind the probe placement I was checking the basking temp. It's since been moved.

OLD:

NEW:

BRUNI:

 

[KarrieRee]

I would say 8-10 inches for your UVB but those are pretty wide holes on top --- so I am gonna let someone else say --- as far as the tile w / the food that should work --- the tank looks very nice -- where did you get it ?
Karrie

 

[ZeroAnkoku]

I would say 8-10 inches for your UVB but those are pretty wide holes on top --- so I am gonna let someone else say --- as far as the tile w / the food that should work --- the tank looks very nice -- where did you get it ?
Karrie

Thanks Karrie for the info! Alrighty that's what I thought since they seemed somewhat wide. Perfect, I'll stick with the tiles but do you think adding something natural like the soil blocks they have at pet stores would be okay upfront like as a substrate?

The enclosure is actually from a site called "Cagesbydesign" owner told me he spent $1200 give or take but he lost the top part that hides the lighting enclosure. He was moving so he listed it on Facebook for only $300 he also included 5 light domes, a reptile timer and a bunch of basking logs and hides. He threw in like 5 basking spot bulbs he had in storage as well and two T8 UVB fixtures. So it was something I could not turn down.

 

[KarrieRee]

What are the soil blocks made out of? You don't want Walnut coconut wood chips sani chips Reptile soil -- you got a really good deal
Karrie

 

[ZeroAnkoku]

What are the soil blocks made out of? You don't want Walnut coconut wood chips sani chips Reptile soil -- you got a really good deal
Karrie

My thoughts exactly lol and well I guess it's like those blocks of soil that expand when introduced to water. Not 100% sure what it's made of to be honest. I just noticed he seems to not grip the enclosure material as well as the tile, but also wanted to introduce something natural. I've read of bioactive enclosures, but tiles seem to be much easier for clean up. Do bearded dragons like randomly eat things...?

 

[KarrieRee]

They can-- we need some others to weigh in on this soil blocks-- you don't want him eating plastic plants
Karrie

 

[ZeroAnkoku]

They can-- we need some others to weigh in on this soil blocks-- you don't want him eating plastic plants
Karrie

Sound good I always appreciate seeing you reply or post on here, you've been a life saver since starting so thank you! I'll read more and wait for others to weigh in to see

 

[MariosDad]

Great find, you're gonna have a happy dragon! And Bruni is cute, too! :wink:

 

[MrSpectrum]

Sounds like a good deal. Personally, I'd just do the whole floor in tile, whether adding to what you have or replacing & starting over. I'm not an advocate of particulate substrates--just not worth the risk. Even for a female that needed a lay box, I'd put a supplemental one on top of tile--it's just so much easier to clean & maintain.

 

[ZeroAnkoku]

Great find, you're gonna have a happy dragon! And Bruni is cute, too! :wink:

I hope so! And thank you very much! He's grown a bit since first getting him, seeing how small he is now and looking back about two months ago I feel like he was sold way too young!

 

[ZeroAnkoku]

Sounds like a good deal. Personally, I'd just do the whole floor in tile, whether adding to what you have or replacing & starting over. I'm not an advocate of particulate substrates--just not worth the risk. Even for a female that needed a lay box, I'd put a supplemental one on top of tile--it's just so much easier to clean & maintain.

Thanks for the input! I agree, after some more consideration I feel I'll just stick with tile rather than appeasing my sense of "style". I'm headed to do a curb side pick up tomorrow of some tile so I'm hoping it will give if that more earth look I'm going for!