Need viv ideas...

[atticusandmae]

Hi there!

I've decided to start really building up my new beardie's viv and would like some ideas

I have an exo-terra natural terrarium large/x-tall (bad choice because it's been VERY hard to heat properly)

I don't have a lot of money ($100 until I get paid next week) so any ideas for budget friendly items would be great.

I know I definitely want to get a good substrate (probably calcium sand), a background, and a solid heating method. I'm having trouble with lamps because the viv is so tall, so I'm thinking about an undertank heating mat? He has a heated rock right now, as well as a hide and a climbing log. I have him on newspaper because he really likes shredding it (I always remove the shredded paper at least 1x a day- usually 2x or 3x) but I want to get him on a proper substrate.

 

[Eavlynn]

Most of us avoid sand like it's the plague. It's an impaction risk, eye irritant, and a reservoir for bacteria. A cheaper and safe alternative would be shelf liner, tiles, or fatigue mat which is what I use. I love it!

I'd look into getting a 40 gallon. Either petco or petsmart, I forget which one, will be doing the dollar per gallon sale. I want to say petsmart? That way you can keep your lamps, which are the best method of heating. Backgrounds for 40 gallons are plentiful as well.

I'd ditch the heat rock unless it's thermostat regulated, they are hardcore burn risks. Beardies sense their heat from above, making rocks pretty dangerous.

With a different enclosure, you should be able to make the perfect home for your beardie with the items you already have, with the exception of your new substrate choice.



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[KrissyLeigh]

Hi there!

I've decided to start really building up my new beardie's viv and would like some ideas

I have an exo-terra natural terrarium large/x-tall (bad choice because it's been VERY hard to heat properly)

I don't have a lot of money ($100 until I get paid next week) so any ideas for budget friendly items would be great.

I know I definitely want to get a good substrate (probably calcium sand), a background, and a solid heating method. I'm having trouble with lamps because the viv is so tall, so I'm thinking about an undertank heating mat? He has a heated rock right now, as well as a hide and a climbing log. I have him on newspaper because he really likes shredding it (I always remove the shredded paper at least 1x a day- usually 2x or 3x) but I want to get him on a proper substrate.

Definitely no heat rock, heat pad, any sort of underneath heater. I have heard mixed things about sand, I go with 'better safe than sorry ' so I don't use it. I use nonadhesive shelf liner -I found some that is natural looking, and there are plenty of rocks on top of it for him to climb on. Petco is the one with the dollar-per-gallon sale, if you choose to do that at some point.

You can get a variety of different sized rocks, bricks, tiles, super cheap at Home Depo that can be used as basking rocks or to build structures with. Hammocks are pretty cheap too, mine loves chilling on his hammock! You can also make your own background, from cork or expanding foam. It does take quite a bit of work though, and you would have to move the little one for a while (depending on what method you use to build the background). I totally understand being on a budget, story of my life! Hope this helps!

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yep no heat from below them so no heat rocks, no under tank heaters, no heat pads... they only sense heat from above.. Just remember dragons need more floor space to run around and turn around than height.. while they are young they are pretty good climbers however once older they get clumsy and can fall and hurt themselves.