Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone tell me how to setup a cage for a bearded dragon????

You should have a basking light of probably 150 watt. Then you will need a UVB Light... buy a long light fixure and a 5.0 Reptisun or something of that sort, as long as it is UVB. Both these lights need be turned on for 14 hours on, 10 off. Something close to that, also have a nice basking spot so your beardie can get within 4-6 inches of the light but make sure he cant touch it. Also have a cool hide, like a big log or something for him to go into in the cool side. If you feed him greens daily and bath him every day or every other day then no water is necessary. You can buy slate tile from Home Depot or somewhere for a substrate, the rest that the slate doesnt fill you can use Alfalfa Pellets (Rabbit Food) juss the cheap stuff will do, place the slate near the front of the tank and the pellets in the back. Offer him greens (Endive, Romaine, Parsley Cilantro, Mango, etc... Daily. Mix and match and see what he/she likes. I think thats everything. Let me know if you have any other questions!

-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

I have since taken out the water dish and added another log on the opposite side. And added a background! If you want a new pic let me know...
-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

n/p

-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

n/p

-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

This is Fuego's setup.

4x2x2 aquarium, 100w zoomed spot on the right for basking, 50w on the left to raise ambient, reptisun 8.0 strip, walnut shell substrate (dont trust sand regarding impaction, expect replies on this one but we've all discussed it several times), and baked logs / washed lava rock to complete. A half clay pot makes a great hide. I need to feed the crickets outside the tank though or they hide between the rocks.

Hope this helps. Fuego certainly likes it.

-----
Ross

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Fuego)
2.1 Roommates (require more cleaning up after than the dragon)

Get those walnut shells outta there man, there just as bad as that sand crap! This will cause lethal impaction, almost worse then sand sometimes. Please take it out for his sake, for the lil guy!
-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

Ah yes, the great sand / substrate / shelf liner debate rears it head again! lol.

I was warned off using sand by several breeders and the herps in the bio dept of the uni i work at. I've been told that play sand is at greater risk of impaction than walnut. Then of course several breeders on this forum swear by sand. Either way we all know never to use repti or calci sand.

He's a burrower, and he gets fed outside the tank anyway. Thanks for your concern, but I've been using walnut for many months now, and he's regular and healthy.

Anyways, did you not recommend using rabbit pellets? That stuff absorbs moisture raising humidity and habouring bacteria.
-----
Ross

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Fuego)
2.1 Roommates (require more cleaning up after than the dragon)

Some info you both might find interesting.

http://www.anapsid.org/substrates2.html

Walnut Shell Litter ("Desert Sand"
Largely nonabsorbent, these small, sharp particles are unsuitable due to the risk of injury and impaction if ingested. The litter provides a wonderful home for the bacteria and fungi that grow due to contamination of the litter by spilled food, water, urates, and feces.

Wow were both wrong...lol!
-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Pyro/Sandfire/Orange Cross)
0.1.0 High Yellow Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Choclate/Tan Dapple Miniature Dachshund
1.0.0 Isabella Miniature Dachshund
0.1.0 Red/White Piebald Miniature Dachshund

Aol Instant Messanger - Bdubedub