Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just purchased a 4 week old dragon this sunday. The lady we purchased it from (at a reptile show), told me my 29 gal fish tank would be more than big enough for it to live in the rest of its life. Now that I've found this website, I have noticed that most people are saying at least 40 gal. Is this 29 gal fish tank going to be big enough for him? The reason I sold my husband on getting one is we didn't have to go out and buy another tank/set up for him. My husband is handy and could build something, but I would like to make due with this for now at least. Also, I purchased crickets at Pets Smart yesterday and although Wizard ate them today, I think they were too big.
The lady I bought it from told me to buy Beast a Bed for it. Pets Smart said that was not good, because it holds moisture and they recommended the sand for reptiles. What should I use. The sand looks like it will be easy to scoop up the mess.
Thanks for any info anyone can provide.

A 29gal tank will be fine for 5 months or so, but eventually you will need to get a larger cage. Minimum size would be 4'x2'x2'. You can skim a bit on height, but floor space is very important.

Neither sand or bed-a-beast is good for bearded dragons, especially for baby dragons. Regular washed play sand (bought at a hardware store) is ok with adult dragons (or at least 10" dragons) though there is still risk of impaction. Best thing for young dragons would be paper towel, non stick shelf liner or plastic table cloth.

There are alot of great care sheets available at the sponsor sites on kingsnake.com. I suggest reading through them to learn all the basics. ALso check out the personal webpages of many of the regular posters here (many have links in their signatures) and read through a couple pages of posts as well. You will find 90% or more of your questions answered by doing this. You will also find more info you need to know as well which would be god for future reference.
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PHLdyPayne

Adult Dragons Require a 40 gallon tank minimum but a 50 gallon tank is prefered. Bearded Dragons should be eating crickets no longer than the beardies head. With sand there is a risk of impaction. when the sand is ingested it clumps up in the dragons stomach and can block it.
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sincerely,
Jonathan D. de Kluyver
JDDK Reptiles
Quality Reptiles and Amphibianswww.jddkreptiles.com

Unfortunately youa re going to have to move your baby dragon into a much larger enclosure. Its too bad someone sold you a beardie telling you they could live in so small of an enclosure. Adult beardies range from 17-22inches easily! Way too big for a 29gallon.

A 40breeder is ok, but i know my active 19 1/2inch female would NEVER be comfortable in a tankl that small. If you are going with standard aquarium sizes, i recomend a 50 or 60 breeder, or a 75 gallon.

If your husband is handy it might be cheaper and easier to just build a new enclosure for him.

There are lots of care sheets on the interenet and good books available, there is also lots of good information on this website. But since the person who sold you your dragon told you he could live in a 29gallon, im just gonna say a couple basic beardie things in case you were in formed wrongly.

1. Beardies need a hot spot of 95-110 degrees in their enclosure. This can be obtained by putting a dome reflector with a bulb in it on top of the tank. Make sure the beardie can get nice and close to the lamp without actually burning himself.

2. Beardies also need a UVB bulb. Without this there is a high chance that the beardie will die. They are a little expensive but definately worth it, they shuld be replaced every 6months-1year.

3. Feed your beardie a variety of small insects and finely chopped veggies. At this age use a calcium powder on the crickets daily or every other day. Let your beardie eat as much as he wants!

good luck with your new buddy. feel free to ask any questions at all, everyone in this forum is really nice and willing to help out!

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Thanks for all the helpful information. I went today and got some smaller crickets for Wizard to eat. He gobble up so many. I took the sand out and put paper towel for now. My husband said when he starts to outgrow the 29 gal tank, he'll build me something bigger. Would it be better to build a wooden/with wire mesh home for him or get a larger fish tank?
Also, when I purchased him, I also got a full spectrum light bulb that sits over his area. Is this the same as the UVB light you are talking about. Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful information.