Setups forbearded dragons

But it can also be a really overwhelming task, because there is no shortage of opinions on how to create the perfect bearded dragon tank setup. What kind of material should you use? How hot should the tank be? Is sand really that bad? What kind of lights do you need?

First things first! What kind of enclosure do you want your bearded dragon to be living in? This is an important decision. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best enclosure for your bearded dragon tank setup: size, material, and where you will keep the enclosure in your home. What size tank does a bearded dragon need? The size of your bearded dragon will help you determine the size of the enclosure.

The standard size for bearded dragons is 40 gallons, although many adults are too big for this size and may become stressed. If you plan on getting a baby bearded dragon, it may be tempting to buy a gallon tank. If you decide to do this, just remember dragons tend to grow fast so you will soon need a gallon tank. Or maybe you are keeping a baby and then giving him to a friend. It all depends on your circumstances and preferences.

Choosing the proper size tank for your bearded dragon helps them to feel comfortable and less stressed, especially in those first few weeks when you bring them home and they are adjusting to a whole new environment. A good size tank prevents glass surfing as well, which is often caused by dragons feeling too caged in.

There are definitely plenty to choose from, and if you start looking up options online you may feel overwhelmed.

Here are some of the basic tanks that you can choose from:. Bare aquariums are relatively cheap, easy to clean, and work perfectly for bearded dragons. Size is the most important factor when selecting a bearded dragon tank. Many people choose to start out their bearded dragon in a small tank — in my opinion, this is a mistake. When it comes to the layout, length and width are more important than height. Like we covered above, glass aquariums are usually the go-to choice of enclosure.

That said, some people like to build their own setups out of wood. If you decide to put together a DIY out of wood, make sure that you watch your temperature levels. Wood tends to retain heat better than glass, so temperatures may sit a little higher than you would expect.

Our substrate of choice for bearded dragons is Zilla Reptile Carpet. Some other great substrate choices are non-adhesive shelf liner, ceramic tiles, paving stones, and newspaper. Whatever you decide to use, make sure you avoid any type of particle substrate. Substrates such as sand, gravel, and mulch are known to cause impaction, which can lead to death. Your Bearded Dragon is going to spend a substantial amount of time climbing in addition to all their digging.

Branches should also be dry no sap , sturdy, and large enough wide enough to support your Bearded Dragon. You should also provide a reptile hide for your bearded dragon. It may be necessary to change the item used for this hiding place as the dragon grows, due to the glove-like fit it should provide when they are nestled inside of it. Plant life should be non-toxic and provide a shaded region of the habitat.

No matter where you purchase the plants, wash them thoroughly with water as to remove any pesticide they may be coated with. It is important not to overlook the fact that the habitat enclosure and contents should be as aesthetically pleasing to your Bearded Dragon as possible. You must replicate a natural Bearded Dragon habitat as closely as possible. Make it homey! There are two main components that are absolutely essential when it comes to lighting your bearded dragon tank — a UVB bulb and a basking lamp.

UVB lighting is arguably the most important part of any bearded dragon setup. Without it, bearded dragons develop something called Metabolic Bone Disease — a painful and fatal condition that causes bone deformation and eventually, death. Contrary to what you might think… bearded dragons love hunting and can really benefit from having something like a small plastic ball in their tank to chase around!

This bearded dragon owner receives bonus points for incorporating a sturdy and safe piece of decor for their beardie to climb on as well! Another great option for any bearded dragon tank is a bridge! Bridges are available in many different styles and sizes and provide a fun way for your beardie to get from Point A to Point B in their tank.

I highly recommend suctioning one to the glass in one corner of the tank. To create a naturalistic environment for your bearded dragon, I highly recommend you introduce some plants. Plants will give your bearded dragon new textures and places to hide under, new scents, and ultimately an environment that will make them happier. And a happy bearded dragon is a healthy one! One of my favorite affordable bearded dragon tank decor items is actually any old large rock you may find in your backyard!

Rocks are great because they create a safe place for bearded dragons to bask and climb and can even help file down their nails as well! I recommend filling up your tub or sink until the rock is submerged and adding in the appropriate bleach amount.

Just make sure you bake it at for at least 30 minutes to kill any possible mites and insects living with it. Why not consider an afternoon project like making them their very own hide?!

There are plenty of online tutorials for how to go about this process, but I recommend checking out the video above for some great inspiration and guidance! Finally after Setting up all your Decor and lighting you will need to set up the heating fixtures, you will need to set up you heating lampstand if desired where you can place the daytime heating light and nighttime heating light, you will want to use a ceramic hear emitter or a nighttime bulb in the nighttime heating fixture you will want to keep the temperature of the terrarium at degrees at nighttime.

As for the daytime heating light i would prefer a watt lamp and bulb you will want to keep the temperature of the terrarium at degrees during the day. A few mistakes: - No background - Using flooring instead of substrate - General UV light does not cover the whole width - Basking spot is not high enough - Way too small water pot should be big enough that your pet can actually swim in it.

Reply 6 years ago. I can agree with some of your arguments but not all of them. For instance: it is does not affect the dragon at all if they have a mat as flooring it only matters that they do not walk on the bare glass. And the water pot does not have to be big enough to swim in if you give them a bath once in a while. But i can agree with the rest. It might not affect them as far as you see, but bearded dragons are from the desert - it is their natural habitat.

And to provide them the best care, I think it is better to use sand than a mat. Also it's easier to clean of poop just use a sieve.