Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Before we bring home out first bearded dragon I want to make sure the tank setup is perfect. The enclosure is 2'h x 2'w x 4l' 3 sides are hardwood with the front being sliding glass and the top screen. The bottom is a stainless steel pan 1 1/2" deep with a sand base. To keep the ambient temp of the tank I have 3 flat plate heaters bolted to the bottom of the pan. I have 4 thermostats placed 4" above the pan that go to the central programmable controller to eliminate hot spots, other than the hot side created by the basking light.

Is it ok to heat the tank, ambient temp only, by warming the subtrait? If need be I can monitor the temp of the sand to make sure it doesn't get too hot and throttle down the heating elements. My thought was the stainless steel pan, besides being really easy to clean since it slides out to the front, would help distribute the heat better.

I saw in another post someone had mentioned a fan, could I put in a small fan to capture some of the heat lost at the top of the tank and return it to the bottom or is that not really necessary. I am using a Johnson Controls DX-9100 so I can pretty much monitor / control anything in the tank. Sure it's probably over kill but it's a fun project for me.

Thanks for the help.

You need to have a basking lamp with a temperature of 110 degrees.

All i use to heat my tank is one 100watt bulb that rests on top of my 40g tank.

I know I need the basking lamp, I'm concerned about ambient temp of the tank especially overnight when there are no lamps on since the temp of the house goes down to 63.

From what i have read, the 100 watt bulb is all you need to keep the tank warm (ambient temp). Depending on the size of the tank you might need 2 bulbs.

As for at night, just buy one of the night heat lamps. That is what i currently use. The lights do not produce *light* for the lizard, just heat.

But as for your actual origonal question... I would avoid the heat pads. Unless it is only on one side of the tank and only use one heat pad. The dragon needs a gradiant to escape to if its to warm.

But then again i amno expert so O)

>>From what i have read, the 100 watt bulb is all you need to keep the tank warm (ambient temp). Depending on the size of the tank you might need 2 bulbs.
>>
>>As for at night, just buy one of the night heat lamps. That is what i currently use. The lights do not produce *light* for the lizard, just heat.
>>
>>But as for your actual origonal question... I would avoid the heat pads. Unless it is only on one side of the tank and only use one heat pad. The dragon needs a gradiant to escape to if its to warm.
>>
>>But then again i amno expert so O)

Using a heat pad could cause him harm.
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Rob