Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I went to the pet store to find a 40 breeder, and they told me I should get a 55 or a 75, but someone here told me 40 breeder was a good size...now...are they just trying to get me to spend more money? Or should I really get a 55...

ps-I know I posted this sort of question before, but I can't seem to find it, so I'm going to set it up for notification this time.

40 breeders are ok for smaller beardies under 16'' but imo any dragon larger than that should have a longer cage. 55 gallons are nice as far as length goes but i think they are a lil two narrow for beardies. i personally would spend the extra money and get a 75 gallon. A 40 breeder is the mim requirement for a beardie

alissa

exactly, you personally would spend the money, I don't really have the money...they cost like $140, Then I also have to buy playsand (which is cheap, I know) light fixtures, bulbs, food, basking branch, water and food bowls....and of course the beardie...I have $390 to spend on everything, and between a 75 gallon tank and a dragon, that's already $300

have you tried calling up any fish or pet stores and see if they have any old, dirty , or cracked tanks that they could sell to you. i got a 55 gallon in perfect shape, except for an overflow box on the back for 20 dollars a few months ago. it doesn't hurt to call around and ask, or another option would be to build your own cage but if you don't have the tools or the skill i understand completely.

"Then I also have to buy playsand (which is cheap, I know) light fixtures, bulbs, food, basking branch, water and food bowls....and of course the beardie...I have $390 to spend on everything, and between a 75 gallon tank and a dragon, that's already $300"

heres how i would spend the 300 bucks

140 for the tank
6 dollars for a shop light at menards..pre-wired 48"
5 for the reflector dome and clamp also at menards
5 or so for a 100 spot light again menards
5 dollars for playsand.. except if your gonna get a baby you can hold off on that and use paper towel
don't need a water bowl.. just a spray bottle
2 dollars on food dish at the petstore
you could cut your one branch or find you own rocks but if you can't another 20 on decor
5 dollars for pellets
15 dollars on vitamins and calcium- if you buy the repcal cald3 and vitamin pack it is only 700 i believe at petsmart
12.00 for a digital thermometer at target or walmart
8.00 dollars for a timer
25.00 for uvb tube.. i get repti-glo 8.0 48'' at reptile drict for 16.98 plus shipping
ohh and you may want to divide the tank if you have a very small beardie or buy a bin antoher 5 bucks

20 dollars crix (thats a 1000) i don't know how much they sell for in petstores
another 5 of so for greens
and another 30 for a fecal and exam (varies per vet)

grand total 303.00

that leaves you with 87 dollars to get a beardie.. of course i put some extra stuff in there like a bin, and playsand, and a lil extra money for decor.. i think buying the big cage and spending less on fluorscent fixtures and fancy decor you'll be happier in the long run and so will your new beardie..but you don't have to take my advice.. i just made a list of what i usually spend on my animals... after awhile you emassed a closet full of extra supplies and forget people have to worry about buying uvb tubes or a cage or food bowls.. i have tons of that stuff in my closet and in the basement and outside.. because i'm blonde and i forget what i have bought and where i put it

alissa

40 breeders are a bit wider from front to back as compared to the 55 which is longer in length but shorter in width. I would go for the 75 these are made longer in legnth. Larger then a 40 breeder by a whole foot, and wider as well. The more room the better for adults, If your getting babies placing them into such a large cage might not be good. For babies a much smaller cage with just a heat rock and proper lights is the best for them. Keep it simple for youngsters. For one average size adult 16-18 inches a 40 breeder is the smallest I would consider for one dragon. The bigger the better but width has to be taken into consideration as well.
-----
Mystical Dragons