How to Set Up a Tank for Western Bearded Dragons

There are eight species of bearded dragons, and the Western bearded dragon, or pogona minima, is one of the largest. It is native to the Western Australian desert and can reach an adult length of 20 inches. In captivity, it requires a similar habitat to the common pet species of bearded dragon, or pogona vitticeps. A well-prepared vivarium is essential for a healthy pet reptile, and you must provide appropriate heat, light and temperature gradation for a stable environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Vivarium
  • T8 electronic ballast unit
  • 36-inch combined UVA and UVB 10.0 lamp
  • Ceramic light fitting and guard
  • 60W spotlight bulb
  • Ceramic heater and guard
  • Thermostatic controller
  • Digital thermometer with probe
  • Hygrometer
  • Substrate
  • Driftwood or thick branches
  • Ornamental plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a wooden or glass vivarium to house your Western bearded dragon. Both types are suitable, the only difference is the aesthetic appearance and personal preference. Wooden vivariums have two glass sliding doors at the front, and glass vivariums are constructed entirely from glass. Size is very important for your pet's habitat, and a 48-inch long vivarium is ideal for one or two bearded dragons.

    • 2

      Install the T8 electronic ballast unit and 36-inch ultraviolet tube in the vivarium. Choose a 10.0 rated combination tube that provides UVA and UVB light. Screw the two lamp clips into the roof inside the vivarium, at the front, approximately 24 inches apart. Place the ballast starter unit outside the vivarium and pass the two cables with connector cups through one of the vents at the back and into the vivarium. Attach a connector to each end of the UV tube and snap into place in the holding clips.

    • 3

      Attach a ceramic lamp holder with a 60W spotlight bulb at one end of the vivarium to provide a hot and cool temperature gradation between one side and the other. Western bearded dragons require a basking spotlight in addition to a UVA and UVB light to help digest their food and regulate body temperature. The reading directly under the spotlight should be between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Provide an additional heat source, such as a ceramic heater or heat mat, to keep the ambient vivarium temperature at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Plug your heat source into a thermostatic controller to prevent overheating. A thermostat turns the heater on and off as required and maintains a constant temperature. You can also input day and night settings to provide 12 hours of daylight and an overnight temperature drop to between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Place a temperature gauge at each end of the vivarium and a hygrometer in the middle to monitor humidity levels. Western bearded dragons are native to hot Australian deserts and require extremely dry air conditions, so keep the humidity at around 40 to 50 percent. Use calcium sand substrate, reptile carpet or play sand to keep the atmosphere arid.

    • 6

      Decorate your vivarium with branches, basking rocks, driftwood and ornamental plants to create an interesting environment for your pet. Leave the vivarium running for a day or two and monitor temperatures and humidity to ensure everything is stable before adding your Western bearded dragon to its new home.