Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I'm new here, and new to the world of lizards. I babysat an iguana once for two weeks, but that was a long time ago.

Anyway, I want to adopt a baby beardie, but first I want to get all the supplies set up. Since it seems there is so much to buy right off the bat, I want to get just the basics for now and replace them with nicer stuff over the course of a few months. So, can I start with a sterlite or rubbermaid clear plastic bin and homemade hide so that I only have to purchase the UVA and UVB lights, food, and calcium right now? DH and I are NOT handy, so we can't really build our own enclosure, so the kind I eventually want to buy (I think) is the fresh air habitat that is made with an aluminum frame and aluminum mesh sides. I've read that nylon mesh can rip from their toenails. So:

1. Am I on the right track here?
2. Is there a better enclosure than the fresh air habitat?
3. Can I start with a cheapy cage for a couple months with a baby?
4. What is the cheapest place to get all the supplies long-term?
5. About how much do you spend on your beardie per month, not counting vet visits, which I know aren't monthly?

Thanks for all your help! I've really found this site very useful so far.

Gwen

The cage will be the most expensive part of keeping a dragon. I wouldn't recommend using a rubbermaid container as the basking temp needed could melt the plastic, especially if the bulb is knocked into the cage. Also, it is difficult to mount a UVB bulb in a plastic container securely. Either you have to suspend it over the cage, or find an aquarium hood.

The best way to get a cage, is to buy either a used aquarium (check garage sales, newspapers, etc in your area), if you are unable to build one yourself. A 20-35G long aquarium is fine for a baby bearded dragon till about 6-8 months of age, depending on their growth rate. After that age, you need their adult cage which needs to be at least 4'x2'x2' though you can skim a bit on the height. (no less than 18" of height).

For lighting, the only expense light is the UVB bulb. The basking bulb, fixtures for both the bulb and uvb tube, can be bought at your local hardware store or walmart. For the 20-35 gal tank, you need a basking bulb of about 60-75 watts, depending on your normal house temperature. For the larger cage, 100-125 Watts is usually good.

Make sure you have done all your research on bearded dragon care. There will be differences in each caresheet and out right contridictions. Any questions ask away and we will be happy to help out.
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PHLdyPayne

try http://www.petsupplyliquidator.com/ for cheat reptile lights and heating. try http://www.[bleep]/ for cage and supplies.

www.rainingdragons.com

Thanks for the website! What's the one you recommend for the cage? It looks like it didn't show up in the post right...

Gwen