How big should a tank be for a juvenile bearded dragon?

Question

i am planning on getting one and also want to know if i should use sand

Answer 1

YES !! Saves you alot of money  ,in the long run.( Just like geico.)

Answer 2

Don't use sand until it is 8 months old (nearly full grown) it is better to use calcium sand because it is softer and doesn't have silica dust that is similar to asbestos.  Calcium sand WILL NOT provide any calcium for a beardie because it isn't quite in a useful form no matter how much it may digest.

It is REALLY expensive to start with a smaller tank because none of the lighting or heating will work on a larger tank so you have to start from scratch.  Again.  (yes, I've done this...which it why I'm advising against it)  

Every single dimension of the tank/enclosure should be at least the full length of the beardie-otherwise movement (especially turning around) is extremely uncomfortable for them.  55 gallon tanks aren't wide enough front to back for any beardie older than a couple months even though the total area is good.  Either go with a 40 gallon "breeder" (36"x18"x16") or a tank that is at least 70 gallons as everything else will make it difficult for a beardie to turn around in.  Even 40 breeders are too small for a single German Giant adult.  Even for babies never use anything smaller than a 20 gallon long as smaller tanks (and 20 talls) get too hot quickly without giving enough space for the babies to get out of the heat.  A lot of beardies have been killed this way.  If a beardie keeps it's mouth open it's too hot-doing so right under the basking light is one thing, doing so anywhere else in the cage means that you have an emergency on your hands (it's either too hot or it's sick and needs to go to the vet's).

Don't keep beardies together unless you are certain that they are all female and that the tank has at least 40 gallons per beardie (preferably a 125 gallon tank for two or three females).

For any size tank, you'll need a UVB specific tube style bulb (within 12" of the basking spot) like reptisun 10.0.  You'll also need a basking light and an undertank heating pad on one end of the tank.  NEVER use 'hot rocks' as they regularly cause serious burns because the beardies can't tell they are too hot until long after it's too late.  You need to set up a temperature gradient in the tank that *ranges* between 75 and 85 degrees so that the beardie can choose what temperature it wants.  The basking area should have options (ie: a branch for resting at different heights) between 95 and 105.

Rember to dust all crickets with calcium for beardies under 8 months, also at that age they should be eating at least a dozen crickets of the right size once a day, more often if under 12".  Babies need to be eating almost constantly.  Adults only need food dusted about once a week because they are no longer growing.

Answer 3

The smallest you can use is a 20 gallon long. I would just get it its permanent home right away to save money. A 50-55 gallon would be about right; but remember, the bigger, the better.

Answer 4

Your desert terrarium should be 48x24x24 inches and your own individual ideas of using rock piles, sand, stumps and places to hide. If using rocks you will do well to glue them together unless you enjoy having to put them back together constantly.

Temperature is very important, about 105 during the day but you MUST have cooler spots available. Night time about 67 is good. Speak to your reptile specialist shop about lighting, you need UV as well!

So, I agree with a previous message about getting the full size set up straight away as it seems to have little or no effect on the beardies. Use of sand? decide for yourself after speaking to others that keep beardies - we've had hundreds through the door and no problems at all due to using sand.

All the best my friend, enjoy your new pet(s).

Answer 5

i would say a 20gallon long for a little while, but when he gets bigger, he will need a 40-and up, 55 preferably

Answer 6

if i were u i wouldn't start with a 20gallon i would start with a 40gallon they will last much longer.

Answer 7

Do not use sand, especially for a juvenile. It is an impaction risk. You can use paper towels or even tiles, both make very easy cleanup.

I recommend a 40 gallon breeder, as it is a larger footprint. Anything smaller than a 20 gallon is unsafe, as you cannot regulate temperatures. The more space, the better. Just monitor the eating habits.

Here is an excellent careguide:

http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index...