The Best Bearded Dragon Cage Setup in a 55 Gallon

A 55-gallon tank is the perfect size for an adult bearded dragon, a medium-sized docile lizard native to Australia and a common pet among reptile enthusiasts. Though a larger tank will not be detrimental, the bearded dragon has very specific habitat requirements that a 55-gallon tank can accommodate. It is not recommended that you keep more than two adult "beardies" in a tank this size.

  1. Heat and Light

    • Two lights will be needed for a bearded dragon cage. One is a heat lamp and the other is a UV lamp. The UV lamp should be left on for 12 hours per day, which provides a bearded dragon with the Vitamin D it needs to thrive. The heat lamp should be placed so that it shines in on only one side of the tank. This way, the bearded dragon can get away from the light if it becomes too warm. The heat lamp should be hot enough to create a basking area between 95 and 110 degrees. Avoid using hot rocks instead of heat lamps because they can burn a bearded dragon.

    Substrate

    • Bearded dragons require the bottom of the tank to be lined. There are many options for substrate including paper towels, tiles and sand. Sand makes spot cleaning feces and urine easier, similar to a litter box for cats. However there is a risk that a small bearded dragon will swallow the sand and become impacted, so sand should only be used for adults. Paper towels are cheap and can be replaced when soiled. Tiles can be cleaned easily.

    Lid

    • A secure fitting lid is very important for a bearded dragon environment. Bearded dragons are excellent climbers and will escape if a lid is not secure. Metal mesh lids that fit nearly any tank size are available at many pet stores. These lids can be purchased separately from a tank and often feature locking clips that hold them in place. Many 55-gallon tanks are designed for fish and may come with a fish tank lid. However, these can be very heavy and difficult to remove for bearded dragon feeding and cleaning. Additionally, fish tank lids often have cut out areas for filters and air pumps where bearded dragons could squeeze through.

    Decorations

    • The best bearded dragon habitat should have four types of decorations. A hide or shelter, a basking spot, a food station and a water dish. The hide or shelter should be something a bearded dragon can hide under that won't tip over and crush him. The basking spot can be as simple as a flat rock or log under the heat light so the lizard can get as close to the heat source as he wants. The best food and water dishes are low, heavy and wide so the bearded dragon cannot tip them over. The water dish should be shallow enough that the lizard will not drown, but wide enough for the bearded dragon to soak in it when he wants to. A 55-gallon tank is large enough for more decorations such as plastic reptile-approved plants, but live plants should be avoided because a bearded dragon may eat or trample them.