Good Ways to Set Up a Bearded Dragon's Tank

Bearded dragons appreciate a spacious tank that allows them to exhibit natural behavior. Provided they can climb, bask, hide and sometimes burrow, dragons don̵7;t care what the tank looks like, but you might. Whether you create something simple, or have a tank that resembles a rainforest, always provide your pet̵7;s basic needs of heat, light and moisture.

  1. Size

    • Bearded dragons can reach an impressive length, with some growing to 2 feet long or more. For this reason, you need a large tank. The absolute minimum for an adult dragon is 50 gallons, but the more space you provide, the better. Juveniles can live in tanks as small as 15 or 20 gallons, but not for long. Provide a larger tank as soon as possible. To save money on a large tank, buy one second-hand. Clean second-hand tanks thoroughly with a reptile-safe disinfectant before use.

    Essential Equipment

    • However you lay out the tank, there are some basics all bearded dragons must have. A heat lamp for basking is essential, as are thermometers to measure both the temperature below the basking lamp and in the rest of the tank. Bearded dragons need a daytime tank temperature of about 80 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, up to 100 degrees directly beneath the basking lamp. The temperature at night should be about 70 degrees. A hygrometer and a plant mister let you monitor and control the humidity. Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting is required for vitamin D production. Also, supply a substrate, places to climb and hide, and a large, shallow water bowl.

    Basic Set-Up

    • If you don̵7;t mind whether or not the tank looks beautiful, but want the dragon to have everything it needs, a simple, easy-to-clean arrangement is the most cost-effective. Old newspapers make a suitable substrate, and make cleaning the tank a swift task. A plastic shelter works as a hiding place. Add sterilized branches or driftwood for climbing. Cardboard boxes provide variety and extra hiding places; just replace them as they become soiled.

    Naturalistic Setup

    • An elaborate setup, mimicking the dragon̵7;s natural habitat, creates a more aesthetically pleasing tank. Use chemical-free potting compost as a substrate, which looks natural and allows the dragon to burrow. Live plants are decorative and provide more shelter, but chose reptile-safe species such as hibiscus. Keep the plants in pots, which you can sink into the substrate for ease of removal when cleaning. Arrange rocks, stones, logs and bark to form hiding places. As with the basic setup, include branches for climbing.