Setting Up a Vivarium
1. State Requirments
In Australia reptile keepers must comply with the Code of Practices related to their state which includes the size of housing that must be provided to reptiles. Clearly reptile keepers outside of Australia are not required to follow the regulations, however they make for a well founded guide. Some states no not have strict guidelines however, it is important to consider the size of the enclosure to maximise health of Bearded Dragons.
2. Vivarium
Vivariums should be at least 4ft x 2ft x 2ft and have a front opening puts the bearded dragon at ease, they will easily see you opening the sliding door.This is important because in the wild, predators would attack from above, so a tank that is top opening could make your Beardie feel threatened when you go to him. It is also important to select a vivarium that has a waterproof base. This makes cleaning and spills easier to clean up.
I recommend checking out https://www.getyourpetright.com/ for enlosures as they are high quality and are designed for easy access.
3. Lighting
UBV fluorescent lighting is the most important part of any bearded dragon setup and without it, bearded dragons develop something called Metabolic Bone Disease (along with a few other health problems).Choosing the right size UVB light is very important in keeping your bearded dragon healthy. Ideally, the UVB bulb should span 2/3 to 3/4 the length of your tank. This allows your bearded dragon to absorb beneficial UVB rays no matter where is chooses to rest/sit. As UVB bulbs age, their output falls out of the 280-315 nm range. As a result, it is extremely important that you replace your UVB bulbs regularly – every six to twelve months is a good rule (T8 fixtures burn out quicker, usually around 6 months. T5 bulbs can last up to a year).
Additionally, a basking light is also required this helps in mimicking natural heat produced by the sun, basking lights give reptiles a way to absorb warmth and regulate their body temperature.
The UVB and Basking light should be on for 12 hours of the day and then off for twelve hours.
If you find the enclosure is getting to cold over night you can also add a ceramic heat emitter which acts similarily to a heater.
Once you have your lights set up, you will need to get a thermometer and this should be kept in the enclosure to monitor temperature. The temperature in the enclosure should range from 25-35 degrees Celsius, with a basking area at 100-108 degrees 38-42 degrees Celsius. Heat rocks should not be used as they can burn your bearded dragon The relative humidity should be 30-40%.
4. Substrate
Sand is commonly used with bearded dragons, though there is concern, especially when keeping young lizards, that intestinal impaction could result if they accidentally eat some! AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Newspaper, paper toweling or reptile carpet would be better choices. I personally recommend fake grass as it gives a natural feel and is easily removed and cleaned.
5. Important Accessories
Before getting into the decorating, there are some accesories that you will need to get, not only to help your scaly friend but also to reassure you that youre on the right track. You’ll need to be aware of the temperature of your bearded’ dragons basking area and their cool side of the enclosure. You’ll also need to be aware of the habitat’s temperature at night too. With several things to stay on top of, it’s super important to not trust any old dinky thermometer and instead rely on one of the best thermometers for bearded dragons. I love the SensorPush’s Wireless Thermometer and Hygrometer.
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This hygrometer actually connects to your phone and gives you updates on both the temperature and humidity levels in REAL TIME! It also seamlessly tracks both measurements throughout the course of the day so you can stay on top of both humidity and temperature at all times. And while this product is a little more on the expensive side, it’s a great investment for anyone super serious about ensuring their bearded dragon has a comfortable environment to call home.
6. Enrichment and Decoration
This is where you can get creative !
A variety of rocks and branches can be used to create hides, basking sites and climbing structures. The basking site should be wide for comfort, and raised to create a temperature gradient. Climbing furniture should be wider and longer than your pet’s body. If pieces of wood found outside are used, they should first either be baked for half an hourat approximately 150 degrees Celsius or washed in a 10% bleach 90% water mixture (rinsed clean after) to ensure it is safe. Artificial plants may be used for decoration.
Demonstration of Set Up
Here is a demonstration of setting up a 4ft enclosure. Please note that a tube UVB was not placed in the enclosure in the demo but was placed shortly after. this is from an empty enclosure to an enclosure ready for a beardie. You can also see my beardie Stevie waiting in a secondary enclosure by the heater on the floor. All up this took me 2 hours to do, including setting up lights and getting the temperatures stabilised and then checking it on my digital thermometer and hygrometer.
In the video you can see I have also included insulation as I am located in Canberra and it gets very cold in winter and very hot in summer. The method that I find that works best is to get building insulation and put it on the back of the enclosure and at the bottom.
It is a lot to Remember !
As a beardie owner, I know that sometimes keeping track of everything you need to buy, below I have formulated a list of everything you need to complete a set up;
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Enclosure; 4ft x 2ft x 2ft
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Water bowl
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Feed dish
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Substrate- fake grass works best and is easy to clean
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Basking log
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Background
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Artificial plants
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Heat fitting and globe
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UV fitting and globe
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DigitalThermostat
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Thermometer
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Timer ( for lights)
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Reptile disinfectant. (F10)
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Live food
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Lizard pellets (only to be mixed into salad)
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Calcium and multivitamin powder
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Cricket keeper
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Fruit and vegetables
