Is a 40 gallon tank big enough for a beardie, al its life? and is tile a god substrate?

Question

i really dont have the money to buy anything bigger than 40 gallon

Answer 1

ok the above advice is total rubbish

55 is the MINIMUM size tile is a great substrate ground walnut can cause impaction (not saying it will but do u want to risk your pet) also tile helps keep there claws from getting too long

james K i feel sorry for your beardie i really do

40 gallon will be ok for a while (if your getting a young one if your getting an adult they need at least 55) but u can save for a larger one while it grows then sell your 40gal and get a 55

if your getting an adult i would wait until u have enough for a 55 gallon tank for it, its only fair on the lizard

Answer 2

a 40 gallon is good for a dragon but a 55 would be better. but if you really cant afford anything bigger, a 40 will be fine. tile is good, way better than sand or, ground up walnut shells? but tile is fine.

Answer 3

i had one in a 40 for 13 years, i would say so..

get the ground up wallnut shells for sub...

Answer 4

Honestly it eally depends on your dragons size.  I have a Petco boy who maxed out at 16" who stresses himself out in anything larger than a 40B (make SURE it's considered a breeder tak as they give more width).  My 22" Barbata cross won't fit in anything less than a 90!  Smaller dragon can mean a smaller enclosure; If you do use a 40B, just give plenty "out of tank time" to make up for it.  Check out www.crossfire.com/enclosures if you're interested in making your own cage.

As for substrate...my favorites by far are tiles in combination with non-adhesive shelf liner.  Especially with babies, use nothing loose that can be inadvbertantly swallowed (and walnut shells are just junk, they can tear intestines if swallowed, calci-sand is also inviting an untimely death).  I kept my adult male Barbata cross on playsand for 2 years, found it messy and inconvenient (not to mention completely unnatural after I did a little research on the soils and ground cover in Austrailia in the Pogona Vittacepts/Barbata natural range).  I vote tiles, they're NO impaction risk and very nice asthetically.  Good luck! ~Michelle

Answer 5

As long as it is a 40 gallon breeder, it will be okay.  Standard 40 gallon is too narrow, as is a 55 gallon, which is only 12 and 13 inches wide respectively, both more narrow than a Beardie is long, which means he won't be able to comfortably turn around in it.  A 40 gallon breeder, however, is 18 inches wide, which is much more comfortable to turn around in.  

You can also build a 4 X 2 X 2 one yourself (or with the help of someone you know who is handy) for the same price, and make your Beardie a whole lot happier.  40 gallon breeder is the bare minimum size for them.  If you are interested in building your own cage, these two sites have free blueprints and instructions:  http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosu... and http://www.timelessspirit.com/enclosure....

Tile is a great substrate.  You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.  Ceramic and Slate are the best kinds I've found, just make sure it is nice and textured.  You can also seal it too if you want, and that way it will be easier to clean and you won't get bacteria soaking into it when he poops on it.  

I wouldn't use Walnut Shells or Sand, especially Calci-sand, as both substrates are notorious for causing impaction.

Answer 6

A 40 gallon breeder tank s perfect for a bearded dragon for it whole life. Tile isn't that great, and crushed walnut can cause impaction. A fine grit calci-sand or playground sand is great. You can find some great care sheets on the web, or you could email me adn I would be happy to help.