Yay!! Getting a beardie!!

[Sunny1]

My husband has finally made an exception to his "No More New Animals in the House (until we get a bigger one)" semi-rule, and he is allowing me to get a bearded dragon!!! I have been reading all the caresheets that I can as well as all the threads here as well as a bunch of them on BD.org, so now is the time to start setting up the enclosure!! I just need to look up some stuff on gut loading and keeping crickets.


My husband got for me a 55 gal with an aquarium hood, and stand already, I just wanted to ask a few questions.

I am wondering which is better, to get the ReptiSun 10 UVB bulb (as I imagine it would work in the hood light fixture) as well as a heat lamp, or should I just scrap the hood and use a MVB (either the megaray or the TRex, both of which I hear put out a good amount of heat as well) with a screen top and use a bulb on the opposite end in case the temps aren't quite right? Either way I need to cover the top of the enclosure to prevent the cats or the kids from getting in.

If I do go with the MVB, Could I hang the ceramic dome from the inside of the screen top safely? I would make sure that the basking spot underneath would be 12" away from the lamp itself, I am just wondering if hanging the dome that way would create a fire hazard or possibly make it too hot in the tank. Or maybe I should just cut some holes in the screen itself and set it up that way. I am also wondering if I go with a MVB and it shines straight down, will that provide enough UVB in the tank for a BD, since I have read that it is recomended that UVB bulbs should go along at least 3/4 the length of the tank, if not the full length.

I have another question (should be my last one for now I think....). The tank is going to be kept in the living room, once the lights go out in the BD tank at the end of the day's light cycle, will it be a problem for him should there still be light in the living room or adjoining kitchen? Should I find some way of blocking off the front of the tank, since the other 3 sides will be covered, to prevent any of the room's light from getting in? I could always use some thick cardboard or something at least until everyone around here goes to bed and the lights get turned off.

Okay, sorry this is so long. Thanks in advance, and thank you for taking the time to read through this!!!

[ADEE]

hehe.. that was winded lol.. I personally have our beardie in the dining room (real appropriate right?! ) she has a screen top on her 55 gal. we use two 100watt bulbs for heat, one on each side because otherwise her tank got too cold and one long/tube uvb bulb. at night (or after 8pm which is her bedtime, she goes in her cave and literally goes to sleep) we turn all her lights off. if shes up when we turn off the lights she goes into her cave within 15minutes... if she isnt already in her cave. we dont have much tank furniture because we dont like having spare crickets running around.. so aside from her cave (that she also uses as a basking spot) she has her food dish that holds the salad and a tall bowl that i put an occasional meal worm in. as for the uvb bulb.. im not sure how you can set it up.. im interested to read what others have to say.


edit:: congrats!!! they are awesome creatures to have!

[Sunny1]

Thank you for the response, Ashley!! I was wondering if you have any pics of your beardie enclosure? I was trying to find pictures of tank enclosures today (to see how others set everything up, lighting, etc.) and could only find a bunch of pics of homemade or pre-made enclosures. Well I did find a couple of pics of tank set ups, but none of them seemed to have lids on them, which would be a necessity in my house.

Thanks again!

[ADEE]

Pam, my beardie is in bed already but ill snap a pic of it here in a few keep an eye out for it.

[ADEE]

told you her enclosure is dull and boring, we need to find some more furniture for her enclosure....

disclaimer: it is not suggested you house your beardie on playsand, or any sand for that matter.. its a personal choice, and never one to be considered if you have a baby bearded.

[Sunny1]

Thank you for taking the time to get a pic!!

[ADEE]

Thank you for taking the time to get a pic!!

no prob... told you it was boring lol.. it looks alot nicer during the day all lit up believe it or not. I would love to get a nicer looking backround too..