Bearded Dragon Tank..Size?????

[GP212]

Thanks Linds.

I was just at the pet store tonite lookin at prices.Still trying to figure out my setup. I saw the Powersun bulbs that you mentioned. They are $90!! WOW! How long do they last?

I guess that I should clarify first that I want to do what ever it takes to have the "correct" enviroment for our "yet to be purchased" Bearded Dragon. But I am not rich.

Anyways, if these bulbs are the way to go then so be it.
So, not sure if I have mentioned, I have a 6 foot long tank. From what I have learned I was going to have a basking uvb light at each end with a 4 foot flourescent in the middle. Should I bother putting a uvb tube in it? I mean they are $50 bucks and if it isn't "needed". But again if it is...

ok, substrates. I have read all of the arguments against using sand. I think that I will be using this coconut husk stuff. Any thoughts? How deep? I guess that you need to replace it often. How often?

[Big Mike]

Linds knows her stuff, but from what I've seen...most people use the fluorescent UVB bulbs for UVB.

The Mercury vapour bulbs are expensive but are supposedly pretty good. I have heard that they don't last very long but they usually have a warranty...so you can bring it back...but how often do you want to have to do that.

I like using regular bulbs for heat. They are cheap and easy to replace. It's easy to just chance the wattage of the bulbs to adjust the temp of the basking spot as well.

The UVB tubes are also expensive and should be replaced every 6-12 months whether they are burned out or not.

I use the coconut substrate and it's great. I buy it in big compressed blocks and expand it in water before using it. It can be spot cleaned for a while before it needs to be replaced. It is resistant to mold & mildew so if you keep the feces & food cleaned out...it's pretty good.

I like to use about 2-3 inches but they like to dig so more would not hurt. For your tank, I'd say that two of the small bricks would be a good amount (the stuff expands quite a lot). I bought a really big block and just cut pieces off as I need to expand it...it's cheaper but it's a messy job (hard to cut).