Is this enclosure actually any good?

[Blueducki]

I did tiles on my Zen Habitat. I didn't get Smooth tiles, I got ones with some roughness to them. Grouted between them to prevent any debris, parasites, etc. Just makes for a cleaner space.
I also sealed around the perimeter with acrylic latex.

 

[Blueducki]

I’m not familiar with products for sealing just Google or ask a Breeder if it’s safe

They're safe. I did my research.

 

[Jamie2094o]

Thanks everyone for your help. I keep researching every day....
so the vivarium is going to be 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. I’ve seen some people say it’s too big for a 3month old beardie, some have said they have no issues.

if I have issues with stress,
How would I partition the viv? What size would I make the viv? Would I readjust the position of bulbs? What material type would be best to partition?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get it right!

 

[Jamie2094o]

I did tiles on my Zen Habitat. I didn't get Smooth tiles, I got ones with some roughness to them. Grouted between them to prevent any debris, parasites, etc. Just makes for a cleaner space.
I also sealed around the perimeter with acrylic latex.

What size tiles are they? They look so nice!

 

[Sadie]

Sadie: Repticarpet is NOT sanitary & hard to keep clean; unless u are washing it in hot water after every poop. Google “Coccidia” it’s deadly & Beardies can get it very easily from unclean habitats; it requires a vet & a lot of burning & cleaning for up to 2mnths; petco is notorious for selling Beardies with Coccidia & a lot that we rescued had it & we cleared it up & that’s speaking from someone (myself) who is super super OCD. Leave the tiles I. Their if u want & dotm seal them just spray with a good safe pretzel cleaner theres a few brands that are safe/good; order from Amazon.

I did not recommend the repticarpet- it is a pain to keep clean I agree but it is up to them if they want to use it--- they could also go w/ some textured NON adhesive shelf liner-- on the other part if they want to

 

[Sadie]

Thanks everyone for your help. I keep researching every day....
so the vivarium is going to be 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. I’ve seen some people say it’s too big for a 3month old beardie, some have said they have no issues.

if I have issues with stress,
How would I partition the viv? What size would I make the viv? Would I readjust the position of bulbs? What material type would be best to partition?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get it right!

You can use some cardboard or particle board and do half the tank - I put blaze in the 4x2x2 and he was fine-- he basically used the basking side and middle of tank for the first month or two then he started to explore the tank--- he too was around 3 months old--- it's up to you - you can see how his behavior is if he looks or acts extremely stressed out then you can partition it off-

 

[Jamie2094o]

You can use some cardboard or particle board and do half the tank - I put blaze in the 4x2x2 and he was fine-- he basically used the basking side and middle of tank for the first month or two then he started to explore the tank--- he too was around 3 months old--- it's up to you - you can see how his behavior is if he looks or acts extremely stressed out then you can partition it off-

That makes me feel much more at ease. I’ll give that a go but get some particle board just in case.
Would that mean I’ll need to get a smaller UV bulb aswell?

 

[Sadie]

That makes me feel much more at ease. I’ll give that a go but get some particle board just in case.
Would that mean I’ll need to get a smaller UV bulb aswell?

No I had my tank set up just as is now-- just have your bulbs correctly set up for the basking temps- which mine the basking is on top of screen and the UVB is inside the tank T 5 w/ distance of the 12-15 inches - at the time I was using the Arcadia 14% which was strapped to the top w/ distance of 17-18 inches w/ basking decor underneath- I have since gone to the Reptisun T 5 and also the Arcadia 12% bulb--- both dragons have done very well under all 3 if those bulbs

 

[Jamie2094o]

No I had my tank set up just as is now-- just have your bulbs correctly set up for the basking temps- which mine the basking is on top of screen and the UVB is inside the tank T 5 w/ distance of the 12-15 inches - at the time I was using the Arcadia 14% which was strapped to the top w/ distance of 17-18 inches w/ basking decor underneath- I have since gone to the Reptisun T 5 and also the Arcadia 12% bulb--- both dragons have done very well under all 3 if those bulbs

Thank you, I really appreciate your help with this

 

[Sadie]

Thank you, I really appreciate your help with this

Your welcome keep us posted on your baby

 

[Julee1971]

Thanks everyone for your help. I keep researching every day....
so the vivarium is going to be 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. I’ve seen some people say it’s too big for a 3month old beardie, some have said they have no issues.

if I have issues with stress,
How would I partition the viv? What size would I make the viv? Would I readjust the position of bulbs? What material type would be best to partition?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get it right!

I have the same size tanks; it’s good to start him off with a Big cage. He will thrive & grow; make it cozy; white terry cloth towels as the substrate, so u can remove the dirty ones rite when he poops; cleanliness is super Impt to prevent Coccidia; which is deadly, a hammock for sure, wallpaper, a climber and a woven hammock from Petsmart not the green ones. A fleece blanket, a hideaway u can get a big basking platform like a pyramid. I wud not do a partition he will be more stressed if the cage is small & he’s imprisoned with plain walls. Get posters of greenery or order wallpaper with palm trees/etc to place on both sides of the tank I leave the front open & mine watch tv; soft mellow shows they don’t like violence or loud noise & on the back wall he looks out the window. Blinds tilted a bit so sun doesn’t raise the temp even hotter; U gotta be creative. As far as bulbs I place a 50 watt on the cold side away from his food and a 100Watt clear zoomed bulb for his basking and a 50 watt behind the basking over his hammock. With a Huge tank u gotta play around with it. And of course order the Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB; the length u order should cover 70 percent of the tank so a 36inch; this goes along the back so the tank is light & bright & when he basks & gets his uvb & overall UVb. Remember to always replace this UVb every 6Mnths. The temp in your home matters I keep mine around 67-68 sometimes at nite or if it’s a cold day I do 69-70 but this will raise your temps in the cage so u gotta monitor and depends on how high your basking platform is. I use a high one in the winter & a lower in the summer because it gets super hot in the summer. But get a digital thermometer with a probe to get the rite temp & a digital hygrometer the humidity should be 30-40 never higher than 40. Never ever feed mealworms or pellets or bottled food & no spinach it binds to calcium. Do crickets & Dubai roaches & of course the fresh plates of greens & veggies starting now. Lots of protein as he’s growing, feed 4-5 times a day the proteins, till age 5mnths then mellow down to 3feedings per day till he’s 8-9mnths then go down to 2 feedings per day and when he’s over a year or so u can feed once per day (15-20 large crickets) or every other day or 10 large crickets per day but always the plate of veggies/greens every single day, cut up in small pieces. DONOT ever feed superworms or hornworms when they are under a year old; their digestive tract cannot handle it; rule of thumb never feed things bigger than the space between their “2” eyes. When he turns a year old, u can do superworms a few days a week & hornworms as treats but both are high In fat so in moderation. Fruits a few times a week; blueberries & papaya are the good ones. Buy repcal & sprinkle on proteins 3-4 times a week once/day & Herptivite once per week/per day on a non calcium day. Use reptisafe in all bath, drinking and spraying water; chlorine is bad for their skin & dries it out. 2baths minimum per week in lukewarm dechlorinated water for 15min minimum; do more baths when they are shedding. U can play soft meditation/spa music to relax them & u can use a soft tooth brush to brush them lightly as they are soaking. Don’t get water in their ears. Hope this helps here are some pics of my set up & the basking platform.

 

[Jamie2094o]

Your welcome keep us posted on your baby

Everything has now been ordered. Do you use a Hygrometer to keep track of humidity?
I’ve also seen some people say they use a very small bowl of water, some do - what would you recommend? I know they get water from the greens.

I’m also thinking of keeping a very small peice of soft/fleece material in the bottom cool side, so the baby has something soft to lay on. Would that be okay?

 

[2Pacalypse]

Ive seen this type of thing done before, these “kits” will make u spend more, the whole silver,platinum, gold thing already a scam (basicly saying “if you love your lizard you’ll spend the most money)(they’re not doing you any favors) while it may seem like a steal of a deal you’ll end up having to replace the lighting get a new tank and decor, most of the items i seen are for general lizard care , you want lizard care specifically for desert lizards. personally i just ordered a zen habitat 4x2x2 foot enclosure, theres a couple other brands that are good, if you got the money to throw at the project then id go with your gut, i bought one of these kits when i first got my beardie and over the past year I literally have thrown almost everything away (except the tank of course) Just a cautionary tale

Hello skybugs! I've would be interested in knowing the other enclosures you mentioned. Been looking for weeks. Do you have a zen? I'm worried about the screentop with a cat & wondering if it's sturdy? I like a melamine w/screen top but read melamine isn't safe for BD? What do you think of PVC fully enclosed/no screen? Appreciate it..

 

[2Pacalypse]

Please do not use wood chips- they can cause internal injuries if ingested --- here is a piece of my ceramic tile - it is slated and has some texture for traction -- I dont know why the UK and other countries use the T 8 -- here is a website to find some Arcadias https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/
Arcadias are really good bulbs ---

How do you cut the slate?

 

[2Pacalypse]

I have the same size tanks; it’s good to start him off with a Big cage. He will thrive & grow; make it cozy; white terry cloth towels as the substrate, so u can remove the dirty ones rite when he poops; cleanliness is super Impt to prevent Coccidia; which is deadly, a hammock for sure, wallpaper, a climber and a woven hammock from Petsmart not the green ones. A fleece blanket, a hideaway u can get a big basking platform like a pyramid. I wud not do a partition he will be more stressed if the cage is small & he’s imprisoned with plain walls. Get posters of greenery or order wallpaper with palm trees/etc to place on both sides of the tank I leave the front open & mine watch tv; soft mellow shows they don’t like violence or loud noise & on the back wall he looks out the window. Blinds tilted a bit so sun doesn’t raise the temp even hotter; U gotta be creative. As far as bulbs I place a 50 watt on the cold side away from his food and a 100Watt clear zoomed bulb for his basking and a 50 watt behind the basking over his hammock. With a Huge tank u gotta play around with it. And of course order the Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB; the length u order should cover 70 percent of the tank so a 36inch; this goes along the back so the tank is light & bright & when he basks & gets his uvb & overall UVb. Remember to always replace this UVb every 6Mnths. The temp in your home matters I keep mine around 67-68 sometimes at nite or if it’s a cold day I do 69-70 but this will raise your temps in the cage so u gotta monitor and depends on how high your basking platform is. I use a high one in the winter & a lower in the summer because it gets super hot in the summer. But get a digital thermometer with a probe to get the rite temp & a digital hygrometer the humidity should be 30-40 never higher than 40. Never ever feed mealworms or pellets or bottled food & no spinach it binds to calcium. Do crickets & Dubai roaches & of course the fresh plates of greens & veggies starting now. Lots of protein as he’s growing, feed 4-5 times a day the proteins, till age 5mnths then mellow down to 3feedings per day till he’s 8-9mnths then go down to 2 feedings per day and when he’s over a year or so u can feed once per day (15-20 large crickets) or every other day or 10 large crickets per day but always the plate of veggies/greens every single day, cut up in small pieces. DONOT ever feed superworms or hornworms when they are under a year old; their digestive tract cannot handle it; rule of thumb never feed things bigger than the space between their “2” eyes. When he turns a year old, u can do superworms a few days a week & hornworms as treats but both are high In fat so in moderation. Fruits a few times a week; blueberries & papaya are the good ones. Buy repcal & sprinkle on proteins 3-4 times a week once/day & Herptivite once per week/per day on a non calcium day. Use reptisafe in all bath, drinking and spraying water; chlorine is bad for their skin & dries it out. 2baths minimum per week in lukewarm dechlorinated water for 15min minimum; do more baths when they are shedding. U can play soft meditation/spa music to relax them & u can use a soft tooth brush to brush them lightly as they are soaking. Don’t get water in their ears. Hope this helps here are some pics of my set up & the basking platform.

A couple questions-isn't your uvb all the way across the ones tank but you said only 70 percent coverage? I don't see a uvb on the second tank?
They are super cute with their lil pillows!
What size tank are they & where did you get them? I'm looking for a larger & not liking all the sides enclosed on the ones I've seen. Mine loves being nosy.
Thank you!

 

[2Pacalypse]

I am using a Zoo Med 24" fixture in my 4x2x2 tanks -- you dont want a fixture the same length of the tank - they need to be able to be out of the rays w/ out hiding from them

Can we see a pic please?

 

[2Pacalypse]

Sadie: Repticarpet is NOT sanitary & hard to keep clean; unless u are washing it in hot water after every poop. Google “Coccidia” it’s deadly & Beardies can get it very easily from unclean habitats; it requires a vet & a lot of burning & cleaning for up to 2mnths; petco is notorious for selling Beardies with Coccidia & a lot that we rescued had it & we cleared it up & that’s speaking from someone (myself) who is super super OCD. Leave the tiles I. Their if u want & dotm seal them just spray with a good safe pretzel cleaner theres a few brands that are safe/good; order from Amazon.

Pretzel cleaner? I found a black rubber type thing that's used for in drawers or whatever at Target for $10. I cut it in half & put one on the bottom of tank & the other as the backdrop. Mine poops in same spot so I put paper towels in that spot & change often.