Enclosure & Components List

[jeb]

Hi everyone. I am planning on purchasing my bearded dragon during winter, as I have some traveling coming up this fall and didn't want to leave my wife with the responsibility of handling icky insects xD Anyway, I'm still in the process of getting materials ready for my setup, and I was just looking for criticism on the components to the setup that I was planning on buying before I went ahead and spent money (tanks, lights etc are expensive).

Enclosure:
Exo Terra 36X18X18 Glass tank

Lighting:
Zoo Med T5 HO Reptisun Terrarium Hood 24"
Reptisun 10.0 Uvb T5 High Output Linear Lamp
Zoo Med 100W Basking Spot Lamp
Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Substrate:
9 9x12 Tiles

Other components:
Rock Ledge for side of tank
A hide
Waterfall - wouldn't have it on all the time, but I heard it was good for getting babies to hydrate
Temp gun

Things I was curious about:
*Whether to have a separate tank for feeding
*If water conditioners are important
*Are the products advertised for tank cleaning safe
*I've seen mixed reviews for under tank heaters and bearded dragons
*If I covered a rock heater would I be able to have it by a window so they could hang out there? I'm trying to figure ways for as much out of tank time as possible as I'm planning for the tank to be in my office where I can supervise while working (I work from home).
*Have you heard of people using Sani Chips as substrate for adults?


Thanks!

 

[Elders]

Hi everyone. I am planning on purchasing my bearded dragon during winter, as I have some traveling coming up this fall and didn't want to leave my wife with the responsibility of handling icky insects xD Anyway, I'm still in the process of getting materials ready for my setup, and I was just looking for criticism on the components to the setup that I was planning on buying before I went ahead and spent money (tanks, lights etc are expensive).

Enclosure:
Exo Terra 36X18X18 Glass tank

Lighting:
Zoo Med T5 HO Reptisun Terrarium Hood 24"
Reptisun 10.0 Uvb T5 High Output Linear Lamp
Zoo Med 100W Basking Spot Lamp
Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Substrate:
9 9x12 Tiles

Other components:
Rock Ledge for side of tank
A hide
Waterfall - wouldn't have it on all the time, but I heard it was good for getting babies to hydrate
Temp gun

Things I was curious about:
*Whether to have a separate tank for feeding
*If water conditioners are important
*Are the products advertised for tank cleaning safe
*I've seen mixed reviews for under tank heaters and bearded dragons
*If I covered a rock heater would I be able to have it by a window so they could hang out there? I'm trying to figure ways for as much out of tank time as possible as I'm planning for the tank to be in my office where I can supervise while working (I work from home).
*Have you heard of people using Sani Chips as substrate for adults?


Thanks!

It's great to hear your doing your leg work now; rather than having the little guy and trying to get everything sloshed together.....

It will be a lot less stressful for you and the little one when it's time to get him/her.

For the most part looks great! only a few suggestions:

I would have 2 hides; one warm side; and one cool side.

I would also recommend against the waterfalls....even though it's not on all the time it will be in the enclosure which will boost the humidity and since that's a glass tank it will be a PITA to control....save yourself the headache and cash now....(just a suggestion)

Another thing about waterfalls; I used to have them with my snake....they get NASTY over time....bacteria gets in there they mold; and get funky; this is not a good thing to have for a beardy especially a little baby who can't get out of the enclosure.

I personally use:

http://www.amazon.com/Karter-Scient...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Simple; inexpensive and he drinks straight from the dribbles on his nose.

No excessive moisture.

Again these are just my suggestions;

---Add'l questions---
Things I was curious about:
*Whether to have a separate tank for feeding

Not really necessary; but some folks do do this; it's up to you personally. I feed in the enclosure.

*If water conditioners are important

This depends on how you will get the water source. I drink bottled water so Ody get's spring water fresh from my source.

*Are the products advertised for tank cleaning safe

Check the labels and see what's in them...one person on here said they use:

https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/thieves-household-cleaner

Never used myself though yet; however I'd like to try.

*I've seen mixed reviews for under tank heaters and bearded dragons

No need for UTH; they cant sense heat on their bellies; it's a waste of money and can end up hurting the beardy.

*If I covered a rock heater would I be able to have it by a window so they could hang out there? I'm trying to figure ways for as much out of tank time as possible as I'm planning for the tank to be in my office where I can supervise while working (I work from home).

Just like the UTH I'd recommend against it....it is important they be in their enclosure; they NEED the UVB rays and the basking lamp for nutrition and health needs....Out of tank time should be for play and running around and what not; but they do need their homes.

*Have you heard of people using Sani Chips as substrate for adults?

Never heard of this; ill look into it though (I like to learn )

 

[Hdrydr31]

Elders did a good job..
Don't use UTH or Reptile heat rocks they can't sense heat and the rocks are notorious for burns because they are inconsistent.
You can have them outside of their enclosure getting some sun as 1 hour of natural sun Vit D = 8 hours under their lights.. so natural is good but remember the light coming thru the glass may not let as much vit D thru as being outside..
Don't use any loose substrate at all not worth the risk of ingestion..

 

[PatsyB]

Looks like a good list! I have to say that I have that tank and I found a good deal on the 36" T5 light and went for it. It brightened up the whole tank and looks real nice. I have hides on both sides of the tank so that they can get away from the light when they want to. The t5 is nice because you can put it over the mesh and still get good coverage for months.

Elders gave some good answers. I use a water conditioner only when and if I put water in a bowl in their tank but that is rarely. I just use normal tap water for baths. I also use a product called WipeOut for spot cleaning the tank. It's an alcohol based and it tends to minimize odors.

You also want to get some supplements. Calcium without D3, and a multivitamin are a must. Over the years I've added some other supplements like bee pollen, dandelion powder and calendula powder as well as a probiotic.

 

[jeb]

For the most part looks great! only a few suggestions:

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It's nice to hear the "why" behind the no under tank heater and waterfall components.

I also really like the water bottle you use... much cheaper, too! Haha

 

[jeb]

Elders did a good job..
Don't use UTH or Reptile heat rocks they can't sense heat and the rocks are notorious for burns because they are inconsistent.
You can have them outside of their enclosure getting some sun as 1 hour of natural sun Vit D = 8 hours under their lights.. so natural is good but remember the light coming thru the glass may not let as much vit D thru as being outside..
Don't use any loose substrate at all not worth the risk of ingestion..

I can open my window to the screen, so I'm guessing vitamin d would be able to get through as it can get through the mesh on my tank? I guess I'm just assuming that the dragon will want to sit there haha, better to ask now just in case, I guess XD

 

[jeb]

Looks like a good list! I have to say that I have that tank and I found a good deal on the 36" T5 light and went for it. It brightened up the whole tank and looks real nice. I have hides on both sides of the tank so that they can get away from the light when they want to. The t5 is nice because you can put it over the mesh and still get good coverage for months.

Elders gave some good answers. I use a water conditioner only when and if I put water in a bowl in their tank but that is rarely. I just use normal tap water for baths. I also use a product called WipeOut for spot cleaning the tank. It's an alcohol based and it tends to minimize odors.

You also want to get some supplements. Calcium without D3, and a multivitamin are a must. Over the years I've added some other supplements like bee pollen, dandelion powder and calendula powder as well as a probiotic.

Thanks! I looked for the smaller uvb fixture because the link in your signature said it should be 2/3 the length of the tank. I'm guessing that is just a minimum length, then?

Regarding that specific tank, I had also read that it would be good to cover three sides of it when you first being your dragon home. It has the foam in the background, but I'm having trouble finding anything for the sides. What did you do with it?

Oh yes, sorry, I do have supplements on my list, as well as good stuff for the feeders.

 

[Elders]

I can open my window to the screen, so I'm guessing vitamin d would be able to get through as it can get through the mesh on my tank? I guess I'm just assuming that the dragon will want to sit there haha, better to ask now just in case, I guess XD

He/she might just climb up the screen so be careful lol

 

[Elders]

Thanks! I looked for the smaller uvb fixture because the link in your signature said it should be 2/3 the length of the tank. I'm guessing that is just a minimum length, then?

Regarding that specific tank, I had also read that it would be good to cover three sides of it when you first being your dragon home. It has the foam in the background, but I'm having trouble finding anything for the sides. What did you do with it?

Oh yes, sorry, I do have supplements on my list, as well as good stuff for the feeders.

Me personally I did not cover the 2 sides....ody likes looking out and giving my cat the business

 

[PatsyB]

The light should cover AT LEAST 2/3's of the tank. Covering the whole tank is okay and aesthetically pleasing if you provide hiding places. When I got my tank I used the foam background for like a week and I covered the other sides of the tank with dark construction paper. I took the background off because the crickets were crawling and hiding behind it and they were crawling up and out of the tank! I found with those tanks, even though they have a plastic closure on the top where the cords fit through, I still covered them with tape so bugs didn't escape.

My beardies love to sit in an open window in the summer. For awhile with my boy Luci, that was the only thing that would calm him down and stop him from running all over the house. I think it's something with all the movement outside.

 

[PatsyB]

I wanted to add to that I covered the tank for a few weeks until they got comfortable and then took the covering off completely. Mine seem to love being able to see out all sides of their tank and want to know what is going on. A good example is my rescue Dolly. I covered the back and one side of her tank a few weeks ago with some real cute paper (fit for a doll) because she was arm waving at her reflection all day, and she's been kinda lazy and not active. She would eat but not a whole lot interested in eating. Saturday while I was at work my boyfriend took the paper off. I watched on the camera as he fed her some worms, and she literally flipped out of her hammock to eat! So she's a little more active now that she can see again.