Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Would a 30 gallon breeder size tank be better for a single eastern collared than a 55? I currently have him in a 55 and he seems to be doing fine, but I was recently given an old, what I thought was a 40 gallon breeder, but I just checked the dimensions and found out it's a 30. The surface area of the 30 is larger, 648 square inches, than the 55 which is 624 square inches. So I've been wondering if the larger are of the 30 breeder would be better for him than the 55. Or would the lower height of the tank make him feel confined? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

well, i hate to be a true pain and not really answer your question, but it really depends on how you decorate the cage. can you make secured rocks mounds that could utilize the taller space and make him feel like he has more room? right now is he with in 12 inches of his UVB light? it really is what you want to do with the cages
-----
vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Like jeune18 said, depends on how you decorate the tank. I usually prefer more surface space and you don't have to pile up the rocks as high to get close to the UVB lights.

I have a few 30 gallon tanks and I pile up rocks under UVB lights and put a heat rock on top of the rock pile. That way they bask under the UVB bulb. In the cooler months I use a 60 watt bulbs to heat a rock pile on the opposite side of the tank from the heat rock. In the summer(Phoenix area), I don't use the heat lamps at all. The lizards spend about 95% of their basking time on the heat rocks instead under the heat lamps.
Never have had a burn over the past 10 years of using the heat rocks.

I think a collared lizard would be happier with more surface space to run around on. And as you say, with a lower, wider tank you don't have to pile the rocks up as high as you have to do with a tank like a 55 gallon. Since it works for you and think I'll try it. Thanks.

Actually you're not being a pain at all. Your reply makes perfect sense & I appreciate it.
What I'd like to do is create a taller area at one end of the tank for his basking spot. That's where I'd have his heat & uvb lights, which would be within 12 inches of this place. Right now in his 55 gallon tank I have several large pieces of artificial molded resin driftwood as a basking spot & the uvb is less than 12 inches from this area. I'd like to switch to rocks because I think it'll be more natural for him. So what I plan to do is silicone them together to secure them & place them on the bottom of the tank before putting the playsand subtrate in there. I'll create an open area in the middle for him to run around in & put his caves at the cool and warm ends of the tank.