Terrarium Sizing

[Reptilelady]

Hello Everyone,

My beardie is still young but he is growing very fast. I would like to start thinking how I am going to get him a bigger size terrarium. I know there is custom built ones and was wondering what is a good size to get. Is 48 inches wide enough or should i get one that is 55 inches or more? I want him to be happy and a lot of room to still walk around and enjoy it. I also need to do some measuring around the house because the petstore people said 36 inches would be only biggest tank size you would need. Starting to think he will be big and not be able to move around. What do you guys recommend or your thoughts? They can get pretty pricy so would like to start "saving" some money for his new terrarium

 

[Gormagon]

As you know we here on this board don't really trust pet store advice, lol! 36" doesn't leave much for wiggle room for a full grown dragon. It is doable but cramped. Your dragon needs a nice kingdom to watch over from his favorite limb or log high above (about 10 to 12") . The width amd length are the most important to a dragonn, being able to turn around and move to one end or the other without half of his body still being on the other end. 4' long and 2' wide are optimum but you want at least 2' of height or higher ( up to 3' ) to give him plenty of climbing room. 2' works best because it is easier to heat and get good gradients across the viv.
I know....clear as mud now, lol!!!

 

[Reptilelady]

As you know we here on this board don't really trust pet store advice, lol! 36" doesn't leave much for wiggle room for a full grown dragon. It is doable but cramped. Your dragon needs a nice kingdom to watch over from his favorite limb or log high above (about 10 to 12") . The width amd length are the most important to a dragonn, being able to turn around and move to one end or the other without half of his body still being on the other end. 4' long and 2' wide are optimum but you want at least 2' of height or higher ( up to 3' ) to give him plenty of climbing room. 2' works best because it is easier to heat and get good gradients across the viv.
I know....clear as mud now, lol!!!

I know right... well in the beginning their logic seemed right to me since i was a complete noob :lol: Ever since I came onto this forum , has changed dramatically. Knowing he loves to climb as he loves his beloved branch... and right now the height of his terrarium i believe is 18 inches, hence why i have a 150w basking bulb in there but didn't know if maybe it should be a bit lower or just keep it the same height? I also don't like the terrariums with the doors on top to feed. Open a tiny hole on top and then to even get stuff out you have to remove the top completely. I like the doors in the front, easier access and easily to remove things when you need to clean up. Is there some place that lets you customize terrariums other than finding these already packaged ones together aka useless kits and junk inside ? :lol: :roll:

 

[Gormagon]

I recently found a melamine 2x2x4 for 75.00 in my area.

I know ... why do I need another one? I have been kicking around the idea of getting another dragon in my head, but I can't say it out loud cause Peaches might get mad at me and burn the house down (She has a bit of a jealous streak),lol!!!

 

[Reptilelady]

Wow nice! if you find another one let me know :lol: Make sure peaches doesn't know or see it :wink: or you might be seeing the blackbeard :evil: :twisted:
Thats pretty funny so if you get another dragon you going to call it cream? Awe Peaches and Cream

 

[Reptilelady]

I measured my terrarium. Outside is 18 inches but on the inside is 16 inches. Also, been measuring around the house and found good length spot that the most i can have in that area length/wide wise is 58 inches. So is 48 inches the minimize size for an adult or should i go a bit bigger like 55 inches or so?

18 inches depth isn't going to be wide enough i don't think either so maybe 24 inches depth would be good so he has some room to turn around in and feel comfortable. Does this sound right?

 

[charmander16]

Just look around on craigslist. You can setup alerts and stuff as well you send you e-mails when stuff matches your criteria.

 

[Gormagon]

I measured my terrarium. Outside is 18 inches but on the inside is 16 inches. Also, been measuring around the house and found good length spot that the most i can have in that area length/wide wise is 58 inches. So is 48 inches the minimize size for an adult or should i go a bit bigger like 55 inches or so?

18 inches depth isn't going to be wide enough i don't think either so maybe 24 inches depth would be good so he has some room to turn around in and feel comfortable. Does this sound right?

You can go 72" if you want, the more the better and, 24" is plenty wide. I still wouldn't go much over 24 tall, may 28" max to cut down on possible injuries, because as much as they like to climb, they will jump from anything (they think they can fly)!

 

[BeardieLover232]

I measured my terrarium. Outside is 18 inches but on the inside is 16 inches. Also, been measuring around the house and found good length spot that the most i can have in that area length/wide wise is 58 inches. So is 48 inches the minimize size for an adult or should i go a bit bigger like 55 inches or so?

18 inches depth isn't going to be wide enough i don't think either so maybe 24 inches depth would be good so he has some room to turn around in and feel comfortable. Does this sound right?

You can go 72" if you want, the more the better and, 24" is plenty wide. I still wouldn't go much over 24 tall, may 28" max to cut down on possible injuries, because as much as they like to climb, they will jump from anything (they think they can fly)!

this is why they are called Bearded "Dragons" right?
many suggest a 75 Gallon. but they are expensive!! that why I have a 55, they are smaller, but the dragons love it

 

[Reptilelady]

Right? Mine has tried flying off and didn't work so as a result he puffed up and was real mad :lol:
Thanks guys for your suggestions.
I found this link: http://www.anapsid.org/resources/tanksize.html
I will have to wait and see how he grows up. Last week he was 26 grams. This week he is 40 grams. He is growing so quick! Its so crazy how i just remembered him being so tiny and now hes outgrowing his log that i had to turn it differently and so he can be more comfortable.

The larger tank size the cost will be pretty pricey.

 

[Gormagon]

Wow nice! if you find another one let me know :lol: Make sure peaches doesn't know or see it :wink: or you might be seeing the blackbeard :evil: :twisted:
Thats pretty funny so if you get another dragon you going to call it cream? Awe Peaches and Cream

Or if its a male call him Herb, lol! Peaches and, Herb

 

[Reptilelady]

Wow nice! if you find another one let me know :lol: Make sure peaches doesn't know or see it :wink: or you might be seeing the blackbeard :evil: :twisted:
Thats pretty funny so if you get another dragon you going to call it cream? Awe Peaches and Cream

Or if its a male call him Herb, lol! Peaches and, Herb

LOL nice one Gormagon! Has a nice ring to it too :mrgreen:

 

[Reptilelady]

Would like your guys opinion. Anyone using/used stack-able enclosures?

 

[Reptilelady]

Btw this is a great idea if your in a dorm and you really really really need a lizard to help for studying :lol: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c0/1c/b9/c01cb995c14eb9d92fbb4964022b8fe2--reptile-pets-reptile-cage.jpg
Gotta love pinterest!

 

[kingofnobbys]

I measured my terrarium. Outside is 18 inches but on the inside is 16 inches. Also, been measuring around the house and found good length spot that the most i can have in that area length/wide wise is 58 inches. So is 48 inches the minimize size for an adult or should i go a bit bigger like 55 inches or so?

18 inches depth isn't going to be wide enough i don't think either so maybe 24 inches depth would be good so he has some room to turn around in and feel comfortable. Does this sound right?

You can go 72" if you want, the more the better and, 24" is plenty wide. I still wouldn't go much over 24 tall, may 28" max to cut down on possible injuries, because as much as they like to climb, they will jump from anything (they think they can fly)!

this is why they are called Bearded "Dragons" right?
many suggest a 75 Gallon. but they are expensive!! that why I have a 55, they are smaller, but the dragons love it

For an hatchling to a 15 months old juvenile you can get away with a 100L to 150L rearing tub in a pinch.
A comfortable size viv for an adult bearded dragon is 4ft L x 2ft W x 2ft H , if you can build a viv with a larger footprint , even better, bigger is better.