Setting up 55 Gallon

[BadCon]

Crickets only chirp during the last week of their 6 week (typically) life span. So if you bought small crickets, the kind you would be feeding to a small beardy, then there will be no chirping. A 10 gallon with a screen is fine, but make sure to put some egg crates or toilet/paper towel rolls in there as a hiding spot (use the cardboard tube at the center). The round cardboard tubes make it really easy to get some crickets out when you need them.
The crickets should really be stored inside. If you live in a moderate climate, then outside storage would be ok...but they have to be protected from rain, direct sunlight, etc. I wouldn't worry about it too much, as a young beardy will go through about 500 crickets in the first week or so...depending on how big the crickets are.

The strip light is for extra light intensity, nothing more. A single MVB will not provide enough light intensity for a 4" long enclosure, and light intensity helps stimulate feeding behaviors, among other things. At the very least, put another dome fixture with a sckrew in fluorescent coil in the middle of the tank for extra light (non-uv coil, the kind used for a household lamp).
I strongly recommend you get a thermometer asap....your hand is not nearly accurate enough.

 

[Screamin99]

Oh yes I will definatly get a thermo. I was just saying it dosent seem like the Surface was near warm enough but it may just be me

So you suggest I get the 4ft strip light. Would any Kevelin do? or is there a specific reason I should stick with the 5k-5.5k? Thats for the light color I know but would anyhting higher be better? Should I get another dome fixture of somekind for the cool end? to just sorta go the 4' strip light and MVB?

Also Are tiles safe for juvie beardys?

 

[BadCon]

The 5000 Kelvin represents natural sunlight (or close to it), and therefore would be simulating a dragons natural environment more closely than a "regular" bulb. Higher may not be better, as the best approximation of natural sunlight occures around 5000-5500k, though there are daylight bulbs that are rated at 6500K, but thats a bit much. Stick with 5000-5500...whatever you can find.

I recommend the 4' strip as it will provide even light throughout the entire tank. However, those 4' fixtures can be expensive...so if adding a large dome fixture with a fluorescent coil bulb (daylight rated) in the middle of the tank is more practical for you, then that should be better than nothing. If you look at the picture I posted, you'll see how I attached two dome fixtures onto a single light stand.

Adding a second dome light to the opposite side of the tank (cool end) can be helpful in some setups. However, I wouldn't worry about it with a 55 gallon, so just focus on the MVB and some fluorescent fixture for now.

Tiles can be used for juviniles, but it would be easier and safer to use paper towels until the dragon is a few months old. This way, there is little risk of a baby dragons foot getting stuck in between the tiles.