Hi All

Just after some advice, I currently have some leopard geckos, but want to change to some beardies.

Have done some reading around about the environment beardies should be in, but a lot is conflicting. I want to try and get the set up sorted out before an actual purchase of beardies is made.

Going to get one of the Vivexotic 4' x 2' x 2' vivs.

Can you help on what the best kind of lighting/heating would be most suitable, do I need a heat mat? Also what kind of substrate would be best, seen some beardies in wood chippings, but if you need a heat mat will this not stop the heat coming through?

Please note price is not an issue, dont want cheap stuff, but dont want to be silly with money and go OTT, your recommendations please...

Thanks all....

Wot's up on this website, nobody a beardie keeper??confused:

Hi Kathy,

I have just joined the website, here is a link to a caresheet I have written for bearded dragons, you should find all the info you need

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Pete



www.evolutionreptiles.co.uk
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That size Viv is perfect. For a cheaper alternative, try asking your local joiner to knock you one up.
I had a 25mm thick melamine 4x2 made, for £60.

A non particle substrate is essential for babies/juveniles. I used newspaper, simply because it's cheap, if not free (which matters a lot when you are changing in twice a day sometimes) it's easy to just scrunch up and throw away.
Kitchen roll also works well, but it can be expensive, but does look slightly better.

Wood chippings shouldn't be used at all. The reason being is they are a huge impaction risk. Impaction is when particles are ingested and they clog up the lizards intestines - It can be fatal.

Some people decide that when their beardie is around 9-12months to change to sand. Reptile calci sand is actually not good stuff to use. The best sand to use is childrens play sand.

However, I don't and never will use sand for mine, even the adults. I use floor tiles which have been adhered and grouted down to the bottom of the viv.

Beardies generally live in the wild on, rock, stone, compacted stone and clay - so loose sand isn't natural to them. Not only is is quite expensive long term, it's smelly and unhygienic.
I would never subject my Beardies to something that is a risk to them (impaction wise) - not to mention unnatural.

Beardies have their heat sensors on the heads and prefer their heat in the form of a light. Heat mats can burn.
A 100w light bulb - on a dimming thermostat - is sufficient to heat a 4x2x2 viv.

You will also need a Repti-glo 10.0 UV tube.

You can get everything you need over the internet, or from local exotic shops.