setting up beardie tank

F

fishguychris

AC Members
Nov 7, 2010
153
1
18
oh and a basking log
 
bump
 
Well I've never kept beardies before but I do keep Spiny-tailed Monitors that have pretty similar requirements so I have a few suggestions for you. First off, the lamp housings. You really only need one basking lamp because you'll only have one basking spot. All lizards should have a temperature gradient in their enclosure. So that means a warm and cool end to the tank. You'll want to place the basking light on one end of the tank and the basking spot should be around 120 F. You will need another light though. You need to provide UVB lighting which can be as simple as a fluorescent strip light.

Now onto the substrate. Please, oh please DO NOT use that reptile carpet crap. It's nothing but trouble and unnatural. It holds urea from the waste and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Plus the tiny fibers can tear toe nails off. This species is from the desert and the cage should reflect this. Try something like sifted play sand (not calcium sand) or even better use ceramic tiles. They look natural, are easy to remove and clean and hold/distribute heat very well.
 
I have mine beardie in a 55 gallon tank with a basking light on one end and a 36" "daylight" replilight over the other side.. I feed him various vegis daily and crickets and king worms once a week dusting his vegis..
 
suggest a uvb?
 
I'd use something like a Zoomed Reptisun 10.0 for a bearded dragon.
 
so i put the light across the whole tank or on one side
 
You can put it across the whole tank, especially near where the beardie will be basking. Those lights only have an output range of about a foot. This link helps explain how UVB lighting works for reptiles.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
 
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