Bearded Dragons are trendy pets these days.
They are known for being friendly animals who love attention and affection.
However, if you want to keep your pet happy, you should consider getting them a tank instead of just keeping them in a cage. Here’s why…
A beardie needs lots of space to move around and stretch out their legs.
A small aquarium will not be big enough for this purpose.
If you don’t have the room or money to buy an actual enclosure, then you can use something else as long as it provides plenty of space for your bearded dragon to roam about freely.
You can also get some plastic storage boxes from any local store and put one inside another box.
This way, you’ll still have access to all the things you need while having more space than before.
What is the Correct Bearded Dragon Tank Size?
The correct sized tank for a bearded dragon should be at least 10 gallons in volume, but ideally, it would be around 15-20 gallons to give them plenty of room to move about freely.
A larger tank also allows you to add more decorations, such as plants or rocks, which are great ways to help keep your dragons happy!
In addition, if you have multiple bearded dragons, they will need their own space, which can only really happen with a bigger tank.
How Much Water Should I Add To My Bearded Dragons’ Tanks?
Bearded dragons like water, so adding enough water to your tanks is important.
The amount of water that you add depends on how much time you spend outside each day.
If you live somewhere where there isn’t always rain, you may want to consider getting an automatic watering system.
This way, you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn off the tap when you leave home.
You could even get one that automatically turns itself back on after a certain period of time has passed.
It’s best not to use any filter because filters tend to clog up over time and make it harder for your bearded dragons to breathe properly.
If you decide to buy a filter, though, make sure that you choose something that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach.
Chlorine bleach is toxic to all animals, including humans, so it’s hazardous to put into anything that comes near your pets.
Make sure that you read reviews before buying a particular product.
Some people claim that some products work better than others, while others say that they didn’t see any difference between the two different types of filters.
Bearded Dragon Basics
The beaded lizard, also known as the bearded dragon or simply “bearded”, is an Australian native reptile that belongs to the family Agamidae.
It has been around since prehistoric times and was first discovered by Europeans during the 17th century.
These reptiles have become trendy pets over recent years due to their unique appearance and friendly personality.
They came from Australia and New Guinea and were initially found living in caves along rivers.
Today these lizards are kept as household pets throughout Europe and North America.
Many species of bearded dragons are available today, ranging from small ones weighing just 1 pound to large adults reaching sizes of 2 pounds.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and worms, although they will eat fruit and vegetables too.
Bearded Dragon Sizes
Bearded dragons have teeth lay eggs, and have problems with eating, not eating their foods.
There are three sizes of tanks available for bearded dragons; small, medium and large.
Small Tanks
These tanks should only hold two or three adult beards at any given time.
This means you need to keep an eye on how many animals there are in each tank not to end up overcrowding them.
Smaller sized tanks mean less space for food and more room for climbing.
A good rule of thumb is to allow no more than 10% of your total volume to be taken up by rocks.
Rocks can cause stress if they’re placed directly under the heat lamp. In addition, placing stones close together makes it difficult for the animals to move around freely.
Medium-sized Tanks
This kind of tank holds four or five adult beards comfortably.
Medium-sized tanks provide plenty of space for both feeding and sleeping but still leave enough room for movement.
You’ll find this ideal for more prominent breeders who want to start breeding their babies.
Large Tanks
Larger tanks offer even more space for your bearded dragons to live in.
Larger breeds such as the African dwarf boid and the American dwarf boid require bigger spaces.
Large tanks usually measure about 30 inches long x 20 inches wide x 15 inches high.
What is a Vivarium?
Bearded dragons have teeth lay eggs, and have problems with eating, not eating their foods.
A vivarium or terrarium is an enclosure used to house animals such as reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, insects, etc., where these creatures can thrive and develop normally.
Vivaria come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small aquariums to large outdoor enclosures. Some people even use old tires filled with water as vivaria!
There are two main types of vivaria: indoor and outdoor.
Indoor vivaria are smaller cages that may contain one animal or several depending upon its needs.
Outdoor vivaria are generally made out of wood, plastic, metal or glass. Most outdoor vivaria are explicitly designed to keep reptiles, while others include other animals such as frogs, turtles, snakes, tortoises, etc.
The most common type of vivarium is called a “cage” because it’s a box with bars across the top.
Vivarium Essentials
Several things should go inside any vivarium, including; substrate, heat source, humidity control, water filtration system, food/water bowls, hiding places, etc.
Substrate
This refers to what type of material is used to line the bottom of the enclosure.
Substrates come in various sizes, shapes, textures, and densities.
Some substrates are porous while others aren’t.
Porous ones tend to absorb moisture better than nonporous ones do.
They also help prevent soil build-up and make cleaning easier.
If you choose to buy a substrate, look for something that has been tested for reptile health. It will say whether it’s safe for reptiles or not. Heat Source
Most vivaria need a heating element to keep them warm during cold weather months.
Heating elements vary significantly in size, shape, wattage, temperature range, and cost.
It’s best to get one that matches the size of your cage. If you don’t know exactly what size you need, ask someone at your local pet store. They might be able to recommend one for you.
Humidity Control Keeping your vivarium humidified helps ensure reasonable growth rates and your pets’ overall well-being.
Many vivaria come equipped with built-in humidity controls. These systems work by using either dehumidifiers or evaporative cooling units.
Water Filtration System
Your vivarium requires clean drinking water. This means filtering out impurities before they enter your tank. Filters come in many different forms, but there are three basic options available.
Sand filters remove particles larger than 0.5 microns. Sand filters are inexpensive and easy to maintain. However, sand filters cannot filter out bacteria and parasites.
Biofilters remove both particulate matter and microorganisms.
Biofilter media consists of activated carbon granules mixed into a bedding medium.
Activated charcoal removes chemicals and heavy metals from the water.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are active reptiles who need a lot of space to roam around, so you will want the giant tank possible.
A 10 gallon or 20-gallon aquarium is typically large enough for one bearded dragon and an arboreal (tree) branch to climb on.
You can also upgrade your reptile habitat by adding a basking light, heating pad, and substrate in this size tank as well.
Be sure not to overcrowd your beardie’s home with anything that could lead them into trouble, like climbing out onto the glass top or getting stuck behind something they shouldn’t be near.
A good rule of thumb when it comes to water: aim for 1 litre per every 2-3 square inches of the surface area should do the trick!
