Updated: Got 4x2x2, in progress with stocking

[FreedomEagle50]

Hello everyone,

So I'm looking to get my first BD, still doing a lot of research before I get one of course. I'm stuck between two choices, a Melamine tank that is 4x2x2 or the Exo Terra 36x18x24 double door one. I'm leaning more towards the Melamine tank because of how well it holds heat, and how much bigger it is as well.

Question is, how would you compare the two, and if you own the Exo Terra one I'm talking about how do you like it? Is it enough room for a full grown BD you think respectfully? I'll attach a picture of what would be close to the Melamine tank that I would get.



http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/reptile/reptile-habitats-and-enclosures/exo-terra-large-tall-terrarium-36x18x24 I would take off the background because of negative reviews I've heard about crickets getting behind it.


With that being said I heard a 75w heat bulb would be good for it, and I was thinking of getting the Zoo Med Reptisun for the UVB.

for the base I wanted to do a mix of maybe some "rough" tile, and a non loop carpet, or maybe this Shelf paper I just read about a couple minutes ago. I also wanted to put some type of background since it's not glass, would a photo print work okay in there?

Last but not least, I live in Eastvale, CA and if anyone knows any local breeders, or good places to go please let me know as well. I'll take everyone's advice, and I would love to hear more tips and tricks to make my first BD experience awesome.

 

[Terry15]

I have the Exo terra 36x18x18, but I like that other tank. 4x2x2 is a more space for an adult dragon. I took the fake rock wall out and just put it behind the tank. The larger tank would be great.

 

[Taterbug]

Hands down the 48x24x24. The only down side about wood/melamine enclosures is weight. Exoterra makes a nice tank but it's too small for an adult.

 

[Terry15]

I agree, the Exo terra is too small for an adult. I like the idea that someone had converting a dresser. That way you could leave one of the sliding doors open, if they want to run around the house.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

So, if I got the 4x2x2 is that UVB light a good choice and getting a 75w instead of a 100w like I've read?

 

[FreedomEagle50]

 

[CooperDragon]

I have the exo-terra. It's too small for an adult and I have to supplement with LOTS of time outside the tank. Get as much space as you can. Go with the 22'' T5 UVB Light mounted to the ceiling http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/ The basking bulb will really depend on the temperature readings you're getting. You may be OK with the 75w or you may find that you need a higher wattage. Since the height is fixed then you may want to use a lamp dimmer or even better a dimming thermostat to help fine tune and control the temperatures.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

I have the exo-terra. It's too small for an adult and I have to supplement with LOTS of time outside the tank. Get as much space as you can. Go with the 22'' T5 UVB Light mounted to the ceiling http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/ The basking bulb will really depend on the temperature readings you're getting. You may be OK with the 75w or you may find that you need a higher wattage. Since the height is fixed then you may want to use a lamp dimmer or even better a dimming thermostat to help fine tune and control the temperatures.

Thank you for this information. Having someone that actually has it makes a big difference to me. My Local Reptile Store was mentioning a lamp dimmer, but it was confusing me a little. Like, I get what it's supposed to do for the most part. It's like a heater in a fish tank, it will keep it at a constant temp and won't go much lower right?

 

[Taterbug]

A lamp dimmer (rheostat) controls voltage to the lights, you can manually dim how bright they are and tune the temps that way. It doesn't have feed back though.

A dimming thermostat is similar but has a thermometer probe and feedback system that automatically dims the lights according to temperatures. Much more expensive gadget but nice for safety.

Cooper can the LYR fixtures mount to the ceiling? Do they come with hardware? If not Reptile Basics sells Arcadia bulbs and T5HO fixtures at a good price too.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah the LYR fixtures come with clips that attach to the top of the fixture which would allow it to hang from a ceiling via a wire or perhaps a small hook. The clips can slide back and forth so the width isn't set.

 

[CooperDragon]

I also use a Herpstat2 dimming thermostat. It's programmable and has two probes. I have one probe on the cool side surface and one on the basking site surface. The basking site is set to stay between 100-105 and the input controls the basking light. The cool side is set to control the heat projector bulb. It's set to off during the day and set to keep the cool side between 70-73 overnight. UVB light is on a mechanical outlet timer. This is how it looks like set up.

 

[Varalidaine]

I also agree with getting the larger tank. I think melamine tanks look nicer and are easier to mount lights in the top since you can screw everything to the top to hide the fixtures and cords. The white walls are also better for dragons since with glass, they tend to try and climb whatever picture you put on the outside and their own reflection can stress them out.

For the UVB, I also prefer the Arcadia and use this one: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24-ho-t5-double-bulb-fixture-with-arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/ I prefer this one since it has a double bulb (one bulb is an Arcadia UVB and the other is a standard, non UVB florescent light for increased UVA). A single 22" UVB bulb wasn't enough light in the tank and my dragon was often sluggish. The increased UVA of the second fluorescent bulb changed him so much. I also upgraded from a Reptisun to the Arcadia and he's like a completely different dragon. Much more active and alert, and his poop schedule even became more regular which was great!

For the flooring, stick with tile, non-stick shelf liner, or non-stick linoleum. Carpet is difficult to clean and can grow bacteria and host parasites after awhile. You want something you can sanitize whenever he poops. If you do want to provide something soft and snuggly, you can get fleece cuddle cups or cuddle sacks on Etsy for outside cuddle time and just toss them in the wash .

Finally, for lighting, I would use a halogen bulb, not incandescent. The reptile bulbs sold in pet stores are all incandescent, which is inefficient, so you need high wattage and they blow out after 1-3 months, so they always need replacing and tossing, which is wasteful and bad for the environment because of the high energy demand and constant demand for more product. Halogen bulbs are much more efficient and get hotter at lower temperatures, so it saves electricity, which is greener for the environment, plus it saves money. They also last 1-5 years, so they create much less demand for resources. You can use Halogen Flood Lights from Home Depot or Lowes. I use a 65watt Halogen Flood light in my 4X2X2 and have the light mounted inside with dark tile flooring, so all the way on the light was creating temperatures of ~100 on the floor of his tank! I actually have to dim in about 1/3 of the way. I use a hood that has a dimmer attached like the Flukers Hood with Dimmer. It has a little click wheel to increase or decrease the wattage reaching the bulb.

And since your in Eastvale, I highly recommend getting your dragon from http://www.spicedragons.com/ . They're in Chino, so pretty close to you! They have stunning dragons and Dan is a great guy. I've never heard anything negative about Spice Dragons, and they only have a handful of breeders, so they aren't like other breeders that have 50+ dragons and operate like a mill. He cares for all of his dragons and handles them as babies. My baby from him was never skittish. He also waits until they are 2 months old to begin selling, whereas most people sell at 1 month, because he likes to ensure they are healthy and settled in. He has also tested some of his dragons for ADV and they did come back negative, so you at least have a better chance of getting an ADV negative dragon from him and it shows has some integrity and cares for the species, unlike many other breeders who don't care and just sell off the babies that didn't die from ADV. You can also find them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/Spicedragons/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicedragons/

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Dang, those theromstats aren't cheat I see, but I would totally get one. The tank I would get is that Melamine 4x2x2 and it has the fixtures already installed in them. I just don't know the length of the bulbs, I forget to ask and take picture when I was just recently there.

It's a full Melamine 4x2x2 with the connection for the basking bulb and UVB for $225, as of now this is the best price I've found locally.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Here is a quick update for what I have going on.
Left side of the enclosure is a nice, good grip tile I found at Lowes. The other half will be the repti carpet I have coming via amazon. I also have a custom hammock that will be on the cooler side of the home.

I'm making sure he/she will have plenty of places to hide and climb on. I also plan on getting a nice branch for the middle, getting a cool background print, and maybe putting some sheets or a blanket in one of the caves.

I have the proper light that everyone uses, now my question is, do i keep the reflector on or off? I was told both, and whatever decision you have what is the proper distance I should to it? The basking spot is 9 inch from the base of the basket on the right.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd leave it on but skew it either forwards or backwards in the enclosure so there are areas away from it that stay warmer but have slightly less intense UVB exposure. Same for mounting it over the basking area and leaving a portion on the cool end to act as a shade area. As long as there are plenty of options, it should be fine.