Upgrading Enclosure--Help!

[Jennifer0148]

Hello! My name is Jenn. This is my first post, though I have been lurking for a while. I'm an animal lover and have always had a personal zoo. I'm not new to "exotic" pets, either. Since I was 12, I've had everything from dogs, cats, fish, birds, rats, and hamsters to turtles, scorpions, snakes, tarantulas, millipedes, and even a fiddler crab. I've never, however, had a bearded dragon. So when it comes to them, I'm somewhat of a newbie. Because I know a lot about animals in general, though, I've been able to figure out a few things on my own.

I've had Dalí, my bearded dragon, for a little over a month. He (I checked) was given to me for my birthday in one of those Zilla deluxe bearded dragon kits with the coil UVB, a black night light, etc. I don't use the night light but I have been using the coil UVB and the blue daylight bulb for basking. The latter blew out last week so I put in a regular house bulb. He has carpet as substrate. I've finally saved up enough to buy a proper enclosure but I have a few questions.

I have found a pretty nice 75 gallon aquarium for a decent price. I want to get one that big because he likes running and I want him to have room to grow. The dimensions are 48.5Lx18.5Wx21.1H. I am planning to put a Reptisun 10.0 with a basking bulb over it on one half and leave the other half for shade. I was wondering whether that would be an appropriate setup. My more specific questions are as follows:

1. Should I get an Arcadia or Reptisun UVB? I know both are good and it's easier for me to get the Reptisun, but I want to hear others' opinions. Regardless of the brand, is it a good idea get a 22" or 24" so it just covers half of the tank or a 36" or 48" so it covers more than half of the tank or all of it? I feel covering half only along with a basking light is ideal so that he can have shade, too.
2. What figure should I get for the bulb? I've heard one with an electronic ballast and reflectors is best but I have no idea which one to get. I'm also paranoid about mounting it inside the tank and want to make sure I get one that I can safely hang in there and that won't fall on my little guy
3. As for the basking bulb, for a 75 gallon tank what would be a good wattage and brand? I have a new 150 watt Zoomed blue daylight bulb lying around and was wondering whether that one is ok to use so I don't waste it or whether it is harmful. Even if I do use it, I still want to know what would be better so I can get one right now.
4. For a CHE what would the best brand and appropriate wattage be for a 75 gallon tank? I want to get one and be prepared in case I need it.
5. What other things should I put in there? He has a log to climb on but I want to get him a hammock and a bowl for water (he loves having a shallow pool to put his arms and legs in). Is there anything else they like? Do they like beds or any toys?
6. What would make for better flooring than the carpet I have? I like the carpet but something easier to clean would be great. As long as it is non-toxic and he doesn't slip when walking. I've seen tile mentioned but which brand and type exactly?
7. Finally, what can I buy to disinfect his enclosure? Are those ready to use cleaners at pet stores safe? There's one by Flukers I keep seeing but I'd like to know others' opinions and experiences.

Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for your help. I just want the best for my baby. I appreciate it.

~Jenn

 

[HKzForDayz]

First off, ditch the blue bulb and get him a bright white basking bulb(8 bucks)What wattage you need depends greatly on how you plan on setting it up, and your ambient temps in your home. Id go with either a 75w or a 100w and just play with it. You can get a lamp stand so that you can play with the bulb to get perfect temps. Some people like to use par38 flood lights as well. The basking temps needs to be 105-110, taken with a IR gun or digital thermometer with probe .

If you need both a fixture and a bulb, llllreptiles has an arcadia fixture bulb combo for 75 bucks. With t5, i would just place on top of screen, just make sure your beardie can get within 12-14" of the bulb, preferably at the basking spot.

For substrate, i prefer to use ceramic tile, i get ones with a rocklike finish . I spot clean and disinfect with vinegar, and i like to use a portable steam cleaner for the tank and all the decor.

 

[Jennifer0148]

Sweet. Thanks! I was worried about mounting the light fixture inside the tank. The Arcadia will really give him enough UVB through the screen?

Also, what about a 14% UVB Arcadia light? Is that too much?

 

[Taterbug]

The T5 is fine at half the length of the enclosure.
I haven't seen results for the 14% but I e been pretty happy with my reptisun 10.0 and the Arcadia 12% are very simalar. You might get some info from the folks at the Reptile Lighting group on Facebook.

Pepper loves his branches and spends more time climbing than anything else.

 

[Jennifer0148]

I've decided to get the T5 22" Arcadia 12% light and the Sunblaster Nanotech T5 fixture with a reflector. I found the following chart on here that says (I think) even with a screen, he'll get the UVB he needs with the combo I chose. So I'm happy about that.

https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

I also got an Acurite thermometer and the tank yesterday. Now I just have to get carpet, a hideout, more climbing stuff, and the screen lid.

I can't wait for him to have the proper set up so he's as healthy as possible. Thanks.

 

[Taterbug]

Yep, as long as you roughly follow the distances on that chart you should be fine even with screen. Just a heads up the sunblaster fixtures won't sit on top of the cage in their own - the reflector doesn't wrap all the way around. A DIY hanger is simple to make though.

 

[CooperDragon]

The fixtures that ship from LYR with the Arcadia bulbs sit flat. They also have hooks to use for hanging as Taterbug described with the Sunblaster fixture. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

 

[Jennifer0148]

Hmm. Thanks, guys. One more question. I chose the Sunblaster because it seemed like the best fixture and because it has a reflector. I see now that it would need to be hanged, though. Are the fixtures with reflectors that come with the Arcadia bulbs just as good? Or is it just worth it to get the Sunblaster and make a hanger?

 

[CooperDragon]

The Sunblaster is a good fixture. The fixtures that ship with the Arcadia bulbs from LYR are good as well. They have a reflector built in. I've used one for years and it has served me well.

 

[Taterbug]

If I didn't have a ceiling mounted setup I would get an Arcadia fixture. They are very comparable.

 

[Jennifer0148]

I wish I could have a ceiling mounted setup! That sounds really cool. I'm trying to figure out how to have the best one I can, though. I just found this fixture on LYR (http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/18-power-compact-light-fixture/) and, apparently, I can use it for bearded dragons if I take off the screens it comes with. It's only 18" so I'd need a 22" one minimum, but it gave me a good idea. Maybe I can find a similar setup and mount it on one side and only use screen on the side with the basking bulb. I'd have to buy screen and make a half one myself, though. Whoever says having pets can't be as hard as having kids probably has never had a beardie or other special needs pets. >.<

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd just get the 22'' T5 and put it right on top of the mesh top.

 

[Taterbug]

I would probably go with this one http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24-ho-t5-double-bulb-fixture-with-arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/
Or this one (possibly with some glass or clear plastic so that the UV is cut it on the cool side (1/2 the enclosure) but it's still nice and bright.
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/36-ho-t5-double-bulb-fixture-with-arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/

I used 1 22" T5 uvb, 1 22" T5 daylight and 1 36" T8 daylight in my 48x24x24 setup. It's harder to have too bright an enclosure but easy too have one that's too dark.

You'll want the basking lamp and the uv on the same side - think like you are replicating sunlight. Heat and uv and visible light all share a source in nature.

 

[CooperDragon]

I like that idea. Having the daylight bulb as well will brighten things up quite a bit. The T5s are pretty bright on their own though so I'd be sure to include some shade areas and hides to provide some options.

 

[Jennifer0148]

The tank comes with glass tops for both sides, so I can cover half of the tank with one glass top and leave the other one open for the UVB to go through unobstructed and for ventilation. Is it ok to have half the tank be open to air? Or should I have screen?

I'm actually worried about my beardie. I found a pink blotch on his belly and he seems kind of thin. I think I can see his hip bones. He was not kept in good conditions at Petsmart (they never seem to be) and I'm afraid that all this time with just the coil UVB and the household light bulb has harmed him. Even at Petsmart they just had a Reptisun 5.0 through screen. This is why I saved up quickly to buy him a proper enclosure. Now I'm going to take him to the vet but I'm wondering if a 40 gallon breeder would just be better for him at this point. I can much more easily get that set up quickly and see that he fattens up and recovers from the less than stellar treatment he has gotten.