We are going to get a baby bearded dragon in about 4 to 5 weeks, it is only a baby at moment. We will have it when it is about 6 weeks old.

anyway i bought a 2ft square vevariam off my friend that has a 2yr old bearded dragon and has outgrown the tank and now lives in a 5ft vevarium.

We went down to a repltile shop today to look for the lighting for it etc and had a big argument in the shop as they went mad with us as the 2ft vevarium is not big enough for a bearded dragon.

Is this correct?

Also we were told from my friend to put a bowl of water in and they said NO!!

I have been told not to use sand as they will eat it and could kill them again the guy in the shop said that is "rubbish"

Everything i was told by my friend the shop are saying isnt right.

As this is all new to us we dont know what we are doing so want to make sure we do it correctly.

Please can you help?

Many Thanks
Kath xxx

Pet shops are business's, they are there to make money - of course they will say you need a bigger vivarium as they are more expensive.

A 2ft square vivarium is OK, but it will only last you a couple of months.
I had mine in a 4ft x 2ft by the time he was 6 months 0 which is minimum for adults. But like your friend, bigger is better, if you have space for a 5ft, then that would be best.

Being lizards from hot dry climates, they don't need a bowl of water. They will seldom drink from it and only cause you more mess to clean up when they spill it a few times every day, or poo in it.
They get a lot of the moisture they need from veggies and fruit. I offer mine a drink every couple of weeks, usually he refuses.

Any particle substrate is a huge no for babies. They are clumsy eaters and will end up ingesting some, which can cause impaction.
However, I don't even keep adults on it and it's simply not natural or necessary.
They live mainly of compacted sand, hard clay, rock and stone.
Sand not only can be dangerous, it's expensive, smelly and unhygenic. And noisy! Once you have heard the noise it makes when it gets stuck in the runners for the glass, you'll think twice!

I use regular floor tiles, they are cheap, never need replacing, wipe clean and no risk of impaction.

Thank you very much for all that info that is a great help.

As were new to all this we are so confused on what to do now.