Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, summer is approaching, and it can get up to 100 degrees here in OK. So, I was thinking about trying to setup sometype of enclosure for the beardie to get some natural light.

Here is the problem, I live in an apartment.

So, I was thining of getting one of those big storage containers, and setting it up in there. It'd be a good size for cheap @ Wal Mart, and I'll add some play sand for him w/ rocks and all that good stuff to jump around on.

So, I was thinking, I'd have to get 2 lids. One so I could cut into a screen top, and one so I can securely close the enclosure when not in use.

Just was looking for pointers, suggestions, or anything else that you all may think beneficial.

Thanks

-Jake
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Leopard Geckos
Sahara (Normal)
Ghost (Blizzard)
"The Baby" (year old Albino)

Bearded Dragons
Junior(hopefully male/unsexed)

I don't have any pointers, but I just thought I'd point out that in order to get two tops, you'll have to buy two tubs. They're not that expensive, but you might be able to figure out some kind of alternative. Unless, of course, you have a use for the extra tub.
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0.10.0 Ball Pythons
0.1.0 Leopard Geckos
0.0.1 Egyptian Tortoise

I have a large outdoor cage 5' x 3' x 3' tall. I live in New Jersey. My cage is a screened cage with 1/4" hardware cloth and has various shelves for basking and shade.

100 degrees ambient is hot for a dragon. My opinion is that it is too hot. In the wild when days are that hot beardies borrow into the soil to get cooler and thermoregulate. In your cage idea and my cage they cannot do that. At 90 ambient and above my dragons will pretty much hide at the bottom of the cage basicly making it useless to put them outside.

Something to keep in mind.

I'll just put him out on days in the 80s.

Maybe I'll have to try and sneak an extra lid.
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Leopard Geckos
Sahara (Normal)
Ghost (Blizzard)
"The Baby" (year old Albino)

Bearded Dragons
Junior(hopefully male/unsexed)

It is not a good ideal to leave your dragon in a rubbermaid container out on a balcony unattended. Anything could happen. If you are on the ground floor, somebody may steal it, strong wind may blow it over, it may be hotter for your dragon in the container than you expect and it cooks etc.

The best thing to do if you want your dragon to get some sun is to sit out with him, this way you don't need a bunch of extra lids. Just provide hides for your dragon to use if he gets to hot, or better yet, place it so it is partially in the shade. After an hour or so, bring him back in. Lid or no lid, dont' leave him unattended.
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PHLdyPayne

Even if the tub doesn't get any direct sunlight it will usually get hotter than the surrounding temperature due to the depth of the tub not allowing good air flow inside of it.

In direct sunlight, ...toast.

You could modify it by cutting a strip several inches high & running the length of the tub, on both sides, and attach some 1/2-inch hardware cloth to it. I don't know if I would be very comfortable with that, either, though.

If I did use a tub, I'd monitor the temps REAL closely for a few days before I ran off & left it.

Have a good one!
HH
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Thanks guys, all good points that completley slipped my mind.
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Leopard Geckos
Sahara (Normal)
Ghost (Blizzard)
"The Baby" (year old Albino)

Bearded Dragons
Junior(hopefully male/unsexed)

Ahh, thus the beauty of forums. We get to thinking one way and fail to see some things. We post questions/ideas and get various points of view that flat out slipped our minds.

We've all done it before, we'll all do it again.

Hang in there!
HH
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.