Tank Too Small?

[Firebonbon]

It's been awhile since I posted, but my beardie is doing good! He's a big boy, about 19 or 20 inches long and loves to eat.

I am moving into a new apartment for college and my parents bought me a nice new tank for Paco. It's the National Geographic Reptile Sanctuary, with the front-opening doors. I really like it and it comes with a lot of useful stuff. One tiny problem... It's 36L x 16W x 18H. A 40 gallon, but not a breeder I am pretty sure? So it is 2 inches smaller in width than his current tank...

My question is, do you all think Paco will notice the lost 2 inches? Will it make him fussy or increase his stress from the move? I feel terrible taking a gift back and don't think my parents kept the receipt...

 

[charmander16]

He may not notice, but that's also pretty small for an adult dragon. Unfortunately there aren't many ready made (reasonably priced) tanks big enough for dragons, which is why a lot of people make their own.

The best bet for a simple solution is to look on craigslist for tanks in your area. I found several really nice sets for way less than I could build one myself, but I ended up building my own anyway because the good ones I found were kind of far away and I wanted something even larger. But I did find a super nice 4X2X2 viv on a stand, with lights for $175, which was a steal, but I ended up building something twice that big (for 3 times the cost! )

But anyway, my advice would be to look for a 4X2X2 viv on craigslist.

If you're going for a tank then you'd want to consider 75 gallons minimum for an adult IMO. (The problem with larger fish tanks (as opposed to wood/melamine) is they are harder to heat, but it can be solved, just takes ore heating devices or some insulting materials, like interior fake-rock walls, etc.

 

[Taterbug]

He might not notice 2" but either tank to too small for him. He's a big boy and already longer than th tank is wide, if you can (I know in college it will be hard) get him a bigger setup like above poster suggests he would really benifit from it.

 

[Firebonbon]

Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah I would love to put him in a larger tank but there is the issue of my apartment being quite cramped for such a large viv, I'll also be living with another person... I'll keep my eyes on Craigslist though! My main concern is just having to downgrade the size already :\