Should I get a low terrarium?

[shawnmatthew]

Currently my beardie is in a 20 gallon terrarium because he is a baby (he's only 7ish inches long). But I've been looking into what I want to eventually upgrade to (40 gallon).

I've been looking at the Exo-Terra glass terrariums, and I see they have a large low (36 x 18 x 12) and or a normal large (height is 18 instead of 12).

Originally I was thinking that the low would be best in order to get the temperatures right. But after watching some videos of people with taller terrariums for their beardies, I was wondering if it would be better to get a tall one, so that he has more things to climb on. I would obviously have to elevate the basking spot closer to the light.

Thoughts? I guess I just want him to be happy, and unsure what is the best!

 

[Claudiusx]

12 is too short imo. Go with the 18.

-Brandon

 

[PoliticalKid]

I have the 36x18x18 exo terra terrarium and I love it. I have a 100 watt mercury vapor bulb and that heats it up nicely and then on the cool side I have a compact top with 2 2.0 UVB bulbs to light up the tank. I considered the 12 inch but I'm glad I went with the 18 inch.

 

[shawnmatthew]

Petsmart just now lowered the price of the 18 inch high one to $183 from $230 (12 inch high is $169). Should I go for it?

 

[Claudiusx]

If you want.

I bought my 36x18x18 from petco for like $56 after taxes when they have their dollar per gallon sale.. But it wasn't a fancy cage like that; it gets the job done.

-Brandon

 

[shawnmatthew]

With the 18inch height, will I have to put the UVB light inside the terrarium so it is close enough to the beardie?

 

[Claudiusx]

You will want to mount the uvb in the tank regardless of height. 6-8 inches unobstructed from the basking surface.

-Brandon

 

[shawnmatthew]

Could you possibly link me to the ideal tube light fixture to use then? I read the thread about lighting, but can't seem to find what was mentioned that hangs on the hooks. Thanks for the help.

 

[Claudiusx]

Any fixture will work as long as it's the right size for your bulb.
Go to a local home improvement store and find any reasonably priced fixture that will fit your bulbs length and size and you are set.

To mount it just use some heavy duty velcro rated at over the weight of your bulb + fixture, get the 3m command hooks to hook them on, or use something to hang it in the tank. Really there are tons of ways you can go about mounting it in the tank, you just have to get creative.

-Brandon