Newbie Custom Enclosure Question

[rtw124]

Hi all,

I am new to the bearded dragon world but have been doing extensive research in an effort to prepare myself for my families first beardie. There is one question I am struggling to find the right answer for so am hoping to get some help on it here.

I am looking to do a custom build enclosure before the purchase of our first dragon. It will ideally be 120 gallon wooden enclosure, tutorials are abundant all over the internet. My concern is that I have read several people, who know much more than I do, comment on starting a juvenile in a smaller enclosure and working into one this size after a year or more (feeding reasons mainly). My issue is that it seems wasteful to put custom effort into temporary housing. I have also read of people "blocking off" portions of their enclosure until their beardie reaches a certain size, this will likely prove difficult with a custom build (basking area vs cooler areas, functionality, etc.).

Sorry for the winded intro, my question is: Is it possible to start a juvenile in an enclosure this size or should i just go ahead a buy a smaller 30-40 gallon and toss in some store bought decor until he reaches a certain size?

Thanks for any help given,

Rus

 

[Sadie]

Hi all,

I am new to the bearded dragon world but have been doing extensive research in an effort to prepare myself for my families first beardie. There is one question I am struggling to find the right answer for so am hoping to get some help on it here.

I am looking to do a custom build enclosure before the purchase of our first dragon. It will ideally be 120 gallon wooden enclosure, tutorials are abundant all over the internet. My concern is that I have read several people, who know much more than I do, comment on starting a juvenile in a smaller enclosure and working into one this size after a year or more (feeding reasons mainly). My issue is that it seems wasteful to put custom effort into temporary housing. I have also read of people "blocking off" portions of their enclosure until their beardie reaches a certain size, this will likely prove difficult with a custom build (basking area vs cooler areas, functionality, etc.).

Sorry for the winded intro, my question is: Is it possible to start a juvenile in an enclosure this size or should i just go ahead a buy a smaller 30-40 gallon and toss in some store bought decor until he reaches a certain size?

Thanks for any help given,

Rus

Juvenile is fine-- a little baby a 20 gallon he won't be in it long-- just remember NO coils for UVB's-- No colored bulbs-- no heat mats no heat rocks no sand-- basking temps must be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer!!

 

[rtw124]

Juvenile is fine-- a little baby a 20 gallon he won't be in it long-- just remember NO coils for UVB's-- No colored bulbs-- no heat mats no heat rocks no sand-- basking temps must be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer!!

I appreciate the advice. So just to be clear, if I am looking at a “hatchling” or something slightly older but not near juvenile, a 20 may get me through until I can transfer to a 120? Is there a size trigger here that says “good to go” or maybe a feeding pattern?

Thanks for the other advice, I think you underestimate what I meant by extensive research lol. I jump into nothing unprepared. I’m not the buy the ready-made enclosure at petco kind of person. The only thing I could not find good reference for was the enclosure sizing. I was trying to avoid buying things for a small enclosure that would be insufficient for a larger one (uvb size, basking wattage, decor, enclosure itself, etc.).

But this helps, if 20 gallons can get me through and then go straight to 120 this saves much time and money. Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

I appreciate the advice. So just to be clear, if I am looking at a “hatchling” or something slightly older but not near juvenile, a 20 may get me through until I can transfer to a 120? Is there a size trigger here that says “good to go” or maybe a feeding pattern?

Thanks for the other advice, I think you underestimate what I meant by extensive research lol. I jump into nothing unprepared. I’m not the buy the ready-made enclosure at petco kind of person. The only thing I could not find good reference for was the enclosure sizing. I was trying to avoid buying things for a small enclosure that would be insufficient for a larger one (uvb size, basking wattage, decor, enclosure itself, etc.).

But this helps, if 20 gallons can get me through and then go straight to 120 this saves much time and money. Thank you!

You can use the 24" zoo med fixture on your 20 gallon just use the 5.0 bulb that it comes w/ then when going into the 120 gallon switch out the bulb for the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 -- that will better suited for the 120 gallon-- just trying to save you money- a hatchling will be fine in the 20 gallon-- about the time you need to change out the 5.0 bulb which is in 6 months you can move him into the 20 if not before- I had blaze in his 120 gallon around 4 months

 

[rtw124]

You can use the 24" zoo med fixture on your 20 gallon just use the 5.0 bulb that it comes w/ then when going into the 120 gallon switch out the bulb for the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 -- that will better suited for the 120 gallon-- just trying to save you money- a hatchling will be fine in the 20 gallon-- about the time you need to change out the 5.0 bulb which is in 6 months you can move him into the 20 if not before- I had blaze in his 120 gallon around 4 months

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!