How to Make a Home for a Water Dragon Out of a Fish Tank

Water dragon lizards are among the easiest lizards to care for. They require a specific type of environment to survive, however. You can either purchase this environment from a pet store, or you can create your own using a regular fish aquarium. The aquarium must be outfitted with all of the items that a water dragon needs to survive, including heat, water and food. Making your own habitat is often less expensive and provides you with the ability to personalize the tank.

Things You'll Need

Fish tank
Newspaper, fake grass, indoor/outdoor carpet or brown wrapping paper
Tree branches
Plants
Heat lamp
2 tank thermometers
UVB light
Shallow bowl

Instructions

- 1
  Cover the bottom of the fish tank with newspaper, brown wrapping paper, fake grass or carpeting.
- 2
  Arrange some tree branches that are large enough for your water dragon to climb onto.
- 3
  Place a few plants around the edges of the fish tank to give your water dragon a place to hide and a sense of security.
- 4
  Stick two aquarium thermometers to monitor the temperature in the coolest and warmest parts of the habitat to ensure proper temperature throughout the tank.
- 5
  Place a heating lamp over the top of the enclosure near the middle, a little toward one side. The tank temperature should range between 84 and 88 degrees during the day and 75 to 80 degrees overnight. A hot spot around 90 to 95 degrees is also beneficial. The wattage of the bulb will vary depending on your home's temperature.
- 6
  Position a regular light source near the tank so it shines into the tank. Water dragons require UVB rays to maintain their health. If you cannot offer natural sunlight due to the location of your tank, install a UVB lightbulb into a light fixture and aim it at the aquarium during the day.
- 7
  Put a shallow bowl of water near the cooler end of the tank to provide your water dragon with moisture. Keep the water fresh.