Zoo Med 40 gallon repti habitat bearded dragon, Recommend?

[Peanutlolz]

I'm thinking about saving up for the repti habitat 40 gallon zoo med kit and I just want to know some thoughts on it. I already know if I do get it I will NOT be using the substrate that comes with I'll be using the carpet thing. Thanks

 

[kingofnobbys]

OK for a single hatchling and juvenile to about 12months - 15months old.

Best to get a viv with front sliding glass doors and a solid lid. Personally I wouldn't touch a viv that's a converted fish tank with a mesh top with a barge pole.

If you are deadset on buying this kit https://zoomed.com/40-gallon-reptihabitat-bearded-dragon-kit/

Includes:
•40 Gallon Terrarium (36″ x 18″ x 18″) with sliding screen top. <<< Sliding screen tops on converted fishtanks are hopeless (very hard to achieve a stable microclimate or thermal gradient in them
Ask if they have a version available that has a solid lid and sliding glass front doors.
•ReptiSand® Substrate (Desert White, 12 lb) <<< exchange for something else (maybe a medium HubbaHut for your hatchling / juvenile until he grows too large for it)
•Combo Repti Rock Food and Water Dishes (large) <<< exchange for a large dish only
•Dual Analog Thermometer and Humidity Gauge <<< useless / highly inaccurate exchange for something like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-LCD-Digital-Temperature-Thermometer-Fridge-Freezer-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Reptile/172452294173?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107090050%26meid%3D2f7042e06fbf49ef8ed29ef34ebfc083%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D391259141696
and for monitoring humidity like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-LCD-Indoor-Temperature-Humidity-Meter-Thermometer-Hygrometer-AU-NEW/302264007976?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3Df2807fef77a144d5b8ea02c4bcefa8ce%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D172452294173
•ReptiSun® 10.0 Compact Fluorescent <<< make sure it is 26W and not 13W, as the 13W bulb's UVA and UVB will not reach the beardie even at the basking spot with sufficient intensity to be beneficial .
I recommend you buy a Exo Terra NanoHood to mount the 26W 10%UVB bulb horizontally UNDER THE LID , about 8 inches from the basking spot and very close to the basking globe. (For at the start ONLY).
Consider seriously ungrading to a 24in T8 or T5HO reflector hood and a 10% - 12%UVB tube.
•Repti Basking Spot® Lamp (100 w)
•Combo Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture <<< fine to mount the spotglobe (daytime heat and light) and a ceramic heat emitter (for those cold nights) in.
•Bearded Dragons Care Booklet
Free Natural Bearded Dragon Food <<< pellets ? might be OK for feeding the roaches or crickets,
Tropical Fruit Mix-In Food , and Can O' Worms <<<< best to use fresh greens and live insects, exchange for some live feeder insects
Includes Repti Calcium, Reptivite, and Reptisafe Water Conditioner samples ,<<< the suppls are fine,
water conditioner <<< is IMO of dubious value , not needed if your tap water is safe for human consumption

 

[NickandAutumn]

Late I know but I just bought this exact setup and honestly in hindsite I would have just gone with everything separate and found a better cage. The sliding top is so so incredibly hard to take on and off. It doesn't slide smoothly at all and most of the other things were such small sample sizes it wasn't really even worth it.