Remodeling help!

[BreezyBeardie]

Here is Rocky's 55 gallon tank. I know I need something new but I'm not sure what to do. He has a reptile carpet on the floor and as of today, it's fully covered with paper towels over top (he was regularly pooping in his water bowl aka toilet but has started popping elsewhere and this pic was taken a few days ago).

I'm thinking of getting tiles as the new substrate (yay or nay or doesn't matter?)

Also he desperately needs a dig box (I think?). He scratches and digs at the left corner of the tank all the time. Some days he just basks all day. Some days he's a crazy person. But either way, I think he needs a dig box. What do you suggest I do for a tank this size? What do I make the box out of and are alf alfa pellet the best choice?
Note: dig box would go where his green bed is.

His uvb is not mounted inside the tank as you can see. Should I be doing this and how important is it? And if it's super important, please tell me how! Sounds so complicated.

Any other suggestions or ideas please don't hesitate! I'm also looking to get him a larger enclosure because I really feel that he does not have enough room. So if anyone has suggestions for this as well, all is greatly appreciated!


Thank you everyone! I truly appreciate all of your input .

 

[Rampagingraptor]

First off, Tile is a pretty good substrate. Its easy to remove and clean, and it gives a good look to the terrarium. Make sure you get textured tile, that way your beardie can easily get across it and can even file down his nails a bit.
As for a dig box, I haven't made one yet so I couldn't tell you myself, but you could try making the box out of wood, so long as its strong enough to hold the dirt and whatnot in and handle the beardie digging. Someone else may suggest something or you may be able to find something somewhere in the forums.
As for the uvb light, it isn't the best idea to have it behind a screen as it means your beardie gets less uv light. What kind of bulb do you have, as well? depending on the type, it may need to be closer than it is.
Also, I had one of those hammocks before, but I was suggested away from it because it does pose the possibility of your beardie getting his nails stuck in the holes, which may cause some problems if your beardie panics. Maybe find a new one or find a way to cover up the bulk of it with something else she could lie on?
Anyways, I love all rest of the decorations/utilities you have for your beardie! Especially that background. Where did you get it?

 

[CooperDragon]

For a digging area inside the tank it may be less messy to use fabric. Maybe pile up some scraps of fleece and see if he'll dig around that and be satisfied. Otherwise, I'd build a dig box outside of the tank and give him some time in it when he shows digging behavior. It would be less messy that way.

 

[BreezyBeardie]

First off, Tile is a pretty good substrate. Its easy to remove and clean, and it gives a good look to the terrarium. Make sure you get textured tile, that way your beardie can easily get across it and can even file down his nails a bit.
As for a dig box, I haven't made one yet so I couldn't tell you myself, but you could try making the box out of wood, so long as its strong enough to hold the dirt and whatnot in and handle the beardie digging. Someone else may suggest something or you may be able to find something somewhere in the forums.
As for the uvb light, it isn't the best idea to have it behind a screen as it means your beardie gets less uv light. What kind of bulb do you have, as well? depending on the type, it may need to be closer than it is.
Also, I had one of those hammocks before, but I was suggested away from it because it does pose the possibility of your beardie getting his nails stuck in the holes, which may cause some problems if your beardie panics. Maybe find a new one or find a way to cover up the bulk of it with something else she could lie on?
Anyways, I love all rest of the decorations/utilities you have for your beardie! Especially that background. Where did you get it?

Thank you for the info! I am definitely going to get tile now! I'm excited.

And I have a Zoomed Reptisun 10.0 and got my background from PetSmart. I am totally willing to put the uvb inside the tank but just have no idea how to do that?

 

[BreezyBeardie]

For a digging area inside the tank it may be less messy to use fabric. Maybe pile up some scraps of fleece and see if he'll dig around that and be satisfied. Otherwise, I'd build a dig box outside of the tank and give him some time in it when he shows digging behavior. It would be less messy that way.

Thanks that's a great idea! I'm afraid he could get his nails stuck in the fleece though? I know fleece is different, but he got his nail caught in a towel and it's really bad and swollen. I've been putting raw honey on for a week now and it seems to be healing. My poor baby ! So any idea of fabric scares me.

What do you suggest making the dig box for outside of the tank out of? Just a small shallow box? Also any other substrate suggestions? Alfalfa pellets I've been reading a lot about and they seem good? Thank you!

 

[CooperDragon]

The problem comes with things like looped carpeting or towels with looped fabric. The fleece is just fibers so there isn't much risk of getting caught in it which is why I prefer it for blankets, hammocks, etc.

Dig boxes outside the tank are usually build with a big rubbermaid container filled with moist play sand and organic topsoil mixed to a consistency that allows a tunnel to be supported. Since this is for play rather than egg laying though, a box of alfalfa pellets may work well enough. I'd just make sure to keep them dry so they don't get all mushy/moldy.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Which version of the 10.0? it makes a difference. You can use the distance chart here. http://zoomed.com/Library/ProductDBFiles/UVB-Reach.pdf
As for putting it closer, that will be a little harder. You could try getting a solid piece of wood like Melamine (just a small piece, so there is still plenty of room for air flow), and then fitting the light fixture. You could definitely think of better solutions, but it will be a little bit harder with a glass terrarium.

 

[BreezyBeardie]

Which version of the 10.0? it makes a difference. You can use the distance chart here. http://zoomed.com/Library/ProductDBFiles/UVB-Reach.pdf
As for putting it closer, that will be a little harder. You could try getting a solid piece of wood like Melamine (just a small piece, so there is still plenty of room for air flow), and then fitting the light fixture. You could definitely think of better solutions, but it will be a little bit harder with a glass terrarium.

Okay so I have the T8 10.0. I just mounted it inside (after some research) and bought an under the counter fluorescent light holder and attached it to the glass with 3M hooks. Because it's an under the light fixture, it already had holes for hooks. It was perfect! But of course now I'm worried it is a bit too close to him? I'm taking a picture of it now.

 

[BreezyBeardie]

But I guess if anything it may just be too close to his tail at times? When he's running around the tank he will be at a proper distance. What do you think?

 

[BreezyBeardie]

The problem comes with things like looped carpeting or towels with looped fabric. The fleece is just fibers so there isn't much risk of getting caught in it which is why I prefer it for blankets, hammocks, etc.

Dig boxes outside the tank are usually build with a big rubbermaid container filled with moist play sand and organic topsoil mixed to a consistency that allows a tunnel to be supported. Since this is for play rather than egg laying though, a box of alfalfa pellets may work well enough. I'd just make sure to keep them dry so they don't get all mushy/moldy.

Awesome thank you. I'm going to put a small dig box in his tank where he always digs and fill it with alfalfa pellets. If he doesn't care for it, I'll make one for out of the tank and then just put him in it and I'm sure he will have a ball. Thanks again!!