Thoughts on my bearded dragon setup?

[BMP828]

So I am getting a baby bearded dragon this summer. This is my setup. I have a 24" reptisun 10 t8 bulb mounted inside my tank in a zoo med fixture. I also have a 100 watt basking bulb sitting on top of my screen. My substrate is slate tile. My basking spot is 110-100 degrees and the cool side of my tank is around 78 degrees. It is a 40 gallon breeder (36" × 18" ×16") What are your thoughts on this setup? Do you have any suggestions? And do you think I will need to get a larger enclosure later on or will this be big enough?

 

[Mysty]

Its so beautiful to see a decent set up being tested before buying the dragon.

This viv size should be good for a while. A standard viv for adults is 4ft long.

 

[Taterbug]

More climbing perches would be used in sure
A bigger setup will be best for an adult.

 

[Gormagon]

That looks great! It will get you by for about 5 months till he/she outgrows it!
Yes, more climbing logs and/or limbs and nix the hammock. Those hammocks are notorious for injuring bearded dragons when the get their claws hung in them. They can tear out claws, dislocate shoulders, pull off fingers and, toes, break legs, arms and digits.

 

[BMP828]

Thanks for the heads up! I was not aware of the dangers of the hammocks. What do you recommend I use specifically for climbing objects? And what do you think is best to upgrade the enclosure to? I was thinking of either trying to build a 4foot by 2foot by 2foot enclosure out of melamine wood. Or buying a 75 gallon tank. Any other suggestions? I just want to try and give my future dragon the best quality of life I can haha.

 

[BMP828]

That looks great! It will get you by for about 5 months till he/she outgrows it!
Yes, more climbing logs and/or limbs and nix the hammock. Those hammocks are notorious for injuring bearded dragons when the get their claws hung in them. They can tear out claws, dislocate shoulders, pull off fingers and, toes, break legs, arms and digits.

Thanks for the heads up! I was not aware of the dangers of the hammocks. What do you recommend I use specifically for climbing objects? And what do you think is best to upgrade the enclosure to? I was thinking of either trying to build a 4foot by 2foot by 2foot enclosure out of melamine wood. Or buying a 75 gallon tank. Any other suggestions? I just want to try and give my future dragon the best quality of life I can haha.

 

[Gormagon]

Thanks for the heads up! I was not aware of the dangers of the hammocks. What do you recommend I use specifically for climbing objects? And what do you think is best to upgrade the enclosure to? I was thinking of either trying to build a 4foot by 2foot by 2foot enclosure out of melamine wood. Or buying a 75 gallon tank. Any other suggestions? I just want to try and give my future dragon the best quality of life I can haha.

The 4x2x2 is the best option,easier the keep temp gradients stability.
Climbing logs or limbs can be obtained outside (oak or mulberry is best,IMO). Be sure to scrub them down and, put them in a preheated oven for 45 minutes @ 250 to disinfect them.

 

[BMP828]

The 4x2x2 is the best option,easier the keep temp gradients stability.
Climbing logs or limbs can be obtained outside (oak or mulberry is best,IMO). Be sure to scrub them down and, put them in a preheated oven for 45 minutes @ 250 to disinfect them.

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it! Is there any build tutorials you recommend for the 4×2×2 enclosure?

 

[CooperDragon]

This is a pretty good walkthrough https://beardies.dreamwidth.org/2145.html I would feel free to customize it further as needed and definitely use a T5 UVB tube rather than a T8.

 

[BMP828]

This is a pretty good walkthrough https://beardies.dreamwidth.org/2145.html I would feel free to customize it further as needed and definitely use a T5 UVB tube rather than a T8.

Thank you that looks great! I'm going to try and build it later this summer when I have more money. Would you recommend I use a reflector with the T5 as well in the 4×2×2?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah I would just give it 12'' clearance from the bulb to the basking area. If you want to put some nice climbing areas in, I'd build it even taller and add some levels. Something like what Taterbug built https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/photogradient You can get really creative with it though, these are just some ideas go start from.