What is the ideal home for a bearded dragon?
A bearded dragon’s habitat should be carefully crafted to meet their unique needs and provide a healthy and enjoyable living environment. This article will discuss all the required elements for setting up your first bearded dragon tank.
From the UV to enclosure size and temperature, creating the perfect space for your bearded dragon takes time and effort, but the outcome is well worth it. We’ll walk you through everything you need to create the perfect environment for your pet lizard. By following these simple tips, you can rest assured that your bearded dragon will be happy and healthy in its new home.
Choosing a bearded dragon tank
The first thing to consider when building your bearded dragon setup is a suitable tank. After all, it’s where your beardie will spend most of their time. It should provide ample space and a feeling of comfort and security. The best bearded dragon tank setup isn’t contingent on any specific style. There are a variety of materials and shapes out there on the market, so you can choose one that works for you. However, you’ll want to be aware of each material’s pros and cons.
Glass bearded dragon tanks
A popular choice among new beardie owners, glass tanks tend to be the cheapest and easiest to find. They allow for easy viewing of your pet from all sides and are simple to clean. However, tanks made only of glass do a poor job of holding in heat. If you use a glass tank, place it away from drafty windows, radiators, and doors. You will also need to be extra vigilant about proper temperature control.
Wooden bearded dragon tanks
Wooden enclosures are becoming increasingly popular and are great for holding in heat. They tend to be more expensive than glass tanks, but they are much better suited to providing a stable temperature for your beardie. They also look more attractive and natural, making them an excellent fit for a living room or bedroom setup.
One thing to remember about wooden tanks is that mold can form on them. This can happen if the enclosure is not adequately ventilated or gets too humid. It’s essential to check for mold and clean it regularly.
Plastic or PVC bearded Dragon Tanks
These tanks are the most advanced options on the market and have improved remarkably in recent years. Commonly made of PVC or ABS plastic, they are lightweight, durable, and come in various sizes. It’s typical to see one panel of see-through plexiglass with the other sides of thicker, opaque material. This allows your pet more privacy while still allowing you to view them from the front side.
There are some fancier plastic tank models available for purchase as well. You can find seamless molded terrariums and tanks with built-in lights. If you want to spoil your beardie, these high-end models might eventually be worth an investment, even if they’re not viable with your initial budget.
What size tank do I need for a bearded dragon?
No matter which tank you choose, ensure it is the appropriate size for your bearded dragon. Babies should be kept in tanks of no less than 20 gallons, while full-grown adults need at least 120 gallons or 4ft x 2ft x 2ft.
If you’re shopping for tanks for a young bearded dragon, it’s always better to buy a larger tank than they need. This allows your pet to stay settled in one enclosure for extended periods, reducing stress.
In addition to size, choose an enclosure that will provide ample vertical space. This allows your beardie to climb, basking in the warmth of their UV light fixtures along the way. A good rule of thumb is to choose a tank that is at least as tall as it is wide.
What heating and lights do bearded dragons need?
The next crucial element of your bearded dragon tank setup is lighting and heating. These are essential for keeping your pet healthy. Without sufficient light and warmth, including UVA and UVB rays, your beardie won’t be able to process its food and absorb the nutrients it needs. A proper lighting and heating system will be mounted above the tank and contain a few essential parts, namely:
- Heat lamp (Basking bulb)
- Dimming Thermostat
- T5 UVB Tube in reflector fixture
- Ceramic heat Emitter (Only if nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F/10°C)
- Humidity Gauge or Hygrometer
- Thermometer gun
UVB light for Bearded Dragons
UVB lighting is essential for your bearded dragon’s health. UVB light helps your pet synthesize Vitamin D3, which assists in calcium absorption. Without adequate UVB light, your beardie will struggle to process the calcium they consume and can develop metabolic bone disease.
The best type of UVB light is a T5 UVB fluorescent tube in a reflector fixture. The UVB tube should cover half of the tank and overlap the basking heat bulb at the middle of the tube. For example, if you have a 4ft tank, the UVB tube should be 2ft long.
It’s important to note that T5 UVB fluorescent tubes must be replaced every 12 months.
UVA Heat Lamp for bearded dragons (Basking Light)
In addition to UVB lighting, your bearded dragon needs a basking heat bulb. When choosing a basking light, make sure you pick one that is strong enough to warm your pet to the ideal temperatures. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded creatures and need warmth to regulate their body temperature.
The best options for basking lights are an incandescent globe or two high-wattage halogen globes, which a dimming thermostat can control. Position the thermostat sensor on the cool side of the terrarium, set to 86°F (30°C). If the cool side becomes too hot, the thermostat will dim the basking lamp to prevent overheating.
When setting up your enclosure, place the basking lamp or heat-producing lamp(s) at one end of the tank, directed at a basking stone (a flat, heat-absorbing surface that will be easy for your beardie to lounge on).
What is the thermal gradient for a bearded dragon?
Placing the heat source on one end of the tank creates a temperature gradient, allowing your pet to choose the temperature they’re most comfortable in and adjust as needed. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles, so they use their environment to regulate their temperature.
The basking surface temperature (the side where the heat-producing lamp is) should be 107-113°F (42-45°C). The cool side surface temperature should be between 77-84°F (25-29°C). This will create an air temperature gradient of 72-99°F (22-37°C).
Use a thermometer gun on the basking surface area and adjust the height of the basking lamp(s) to get the perfect surface temperature.
Humidity Gauge (Hygrometer and Thermometer)
The next essential requirement of your bearded dragon setup is a hygrometer and thermometer. These will help ensure your pet lives in an environment with the appropriate humidity and temperatures. Your beardie needs a specific range of temperature and humidity to stay healthy, so having these items will help you monitor the conditions in your tank.
What is the best humidity level for a bearded dragon?
Ideal humidity levels for bearded dragons are between 20% and 40%. With an adequately ventilated tank, with good airflow, humidity shouldn’t be too much of an issue. You can monitor the humidity in your terrarium by using a hygrometer and if you are concerned about it, there are methods you can use to adjust the levels.
Where is the best place to put a bearded dragon tank?
Choosing the perfect location for your pet bearded dragon’s tank or terrarium is vital to keeping it healthy and happy. It should be placed in an area of your home with access to some natural light. However, avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can create an overly warm environment and make it difficult for your beardie to regulate its temperature.
It should be kept away from drafty windows, radiators, and frequently opened doors, as these pose similar threats to your pet’s ability to regulate its temperature. It should also be away from direct sources of noise and activity, as this can stress out your pet.
Finally, check that it is near an outlet to plug in the numerous lighting and heating elements easily.
Choosing a Substrate for your bearded dragon
Deciding on a substrate for your bearded dragon’s home is essential to consider. One of the most popular substrates used is sand or loose soil since this most closely replicates the substrate in a bearded dragon’s native habitat. Contrary to what some people say, if sand is accidentally ingested by a healthy bearded dragon, it will pass through and is unlikely to cause impaction.
Another great option is a bioactive substrate, which can be created with a mix of fine sand, loose topsoil, and excavator clay.
We advise against any loose substrate, like gravel, bark, walnut shells, cat litter, or calcium sand. If ingested, these substrates can be dangerous to your beardie’s health. It’s also not a bad idea to incorporate some hard surfaces in the tank, such as tiles or slate.
Creating hiding spots for your bearded dragon
Creating hiding spots in its terrarium setup can be as simple as arranging logs and rocks together so your dragon can crawl under and feel safe. After all, a bearded dragon’s instinct to hide in tight spaces is a deeply ingrained behavior that helps them feel secure.
You can even purchase bearded dragon hides, like caves and logs specifically designed with dragon-sized hideouts. Also, adding a hammock for your dragon to curl up under or some safe branches to climb over will spruce up its enclosure and satisfy its need for shelter above the ground.
Bearded dragon food & water dishes
A few simple pieces of equipment (which you probably already have in your kitchen) are sufficient for food and water dishes for your pet bearded dragon. Ramekins and small dishes work best for food. The depth of these dishes makes them ideal for keeping your dragon’s food off the substrate and organized in one place.
You can also use a shallow bowl or dish for water. A bowl of fresh water is all your pet needs to stay hydrated. Clean the water dish daily, as it can quickly become contaminated if not handled properly!
What can I decorate my bearded dragon tank with?
To complete your beardie’s home, decorative plants (live or faux plants) and vines can be added for climbing, plus logs and branches provide basking spots and cover for hiding. These décor pieces will make your bearded dragon feel like he’s living in his natural habitat. When it comes to decorative items, less is more, as you do not want to overcrowd your bearded dragon’s enclosure.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect living space for your pet bearded dragon takes some time and thought, but it can be done. With the right products and attention to detail, your best bearded dragon tank setup is easy to create.
Start with a comfortable tank setup large enough for them to move around, add fun decorations and furniture for enrichment, and don’t forget about food and water dishes. Finally, invest in proper lighting and temperature control so your dragon has everything they need to stay healthy and happy.
