🦎 Introduction
A proper tank setup is essential for your bearded dragon’s health, comfort, and lifespan.
Unlike tropical reptiles, beardies come from dry, hot deserts, so they need:
- A strong heat source
- UVB lighting for vitamin D3
- Safe, functional substrate & decor
In this guide, you’ll learn how to create the perfect environment, whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading an existing enclosure.
📏 Enclosure Size & Material
| Age / Size | Minimum Tank Size |
|---|---|
| Baby (0–5 months) | 20–40 gallons |
| Juvenile (6–12 mo.) | 40–75 gallons |
| Adult (1+ year) | 75–120 gallons (48″x24″x24″) |
🧱 Best Enclosure Types
- 🟩 Glass Terrarium: Affordable, available, easy to clean
- 🟧 PVC Enclosure: Lightweight, holds heat well, front-opening
- 🟥 Wood/Melamine: Custom builds, great insulation, less viewable
🧠 Tip: Front-opening enclosures reduce stress during handling.
☀️ Heating: Basking & Cool Zones
Beardies are ectothermic — they need external heat to digest and function.
🔥 Temperature Zones (Day)
| Zone | Temp Range |
|---|---|
| Basking area | 95–110°F (35–43°C) |
| Cool side | 75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| Ambient temp | 80–88°F (26–31°C) |
🌙 Night Temps
- Safe between 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Use ceramic heat emitter (CHE) if your room gets too cold
💡 UVB Lighting Essentials
Bearded dragons require high-output UVB to synthesize vitamin D3 → essential for calcium absorption.
✅ UVB Setup Guidelines
- Use a T5 HO linear UVB bulb (10.0 / Desert strength)
- Mount inside the tank (not on mesh lid)
- Cover 60–70% of enclosure length
- Replace every 6–12 months
Top choice: Arcadia 12% T5 or Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 HO
🌵 Safe Substrate Options
Avoid loose particles like sand (impaction risk for young beardies).
🟢 Best Substrates
- Reptile carpet
- Ceramic/stone tile
- Paper towels (for babies)
- Non-adhesive shelf liner
- Excavator clay (for advanced users)
🔴 Avoid These
- Calci-sand / crushed walnut
- Wood chips / bark
- Soil with fertilizers
🪨 Decor & Enrichment
Bearded dragons are active and love to climb, bask, and hide.
Essentials:
- 🪨 Basking platform (rock, slate, or log)
- 🏕️ Hide (on cool side)
- 🌿 Fake plants / desert decor
- 🧗 Branches or hammocks
Create multiple levels and hideouts to simulate natural behavior.
💧 Water & Humidity
- Keep humidity at 30–40%
- Use shallow water dish (change daily)
- Mist only occasionally or offer soaking baths weekly
🛒 Shopping Checklist
| Item | Why It’s Needed |
|---|---|
| 75–120 gal enclosure | Space for adult beardie |
| Basking bulb + fixture | High temps for digestion |
| T5 UVB light + reflector | Vitamin D3 + calcium absorption |
| Thermometer & hygrometer | Monitor temp and humidity |
| Substrate (tile/carpet) | Safe, easy to clean |
| Hides & basking decor | Enrichment + comfort |
| Calcium + vitamins | Prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) |
✅ Final Setup Tips
- Use dual thermometers (basking + cool side)
- Let the enclosure run for 24–48 hours before adding your beardie
- Observe your dragon: glass surfing or hiding = something’s off
- Clean poop daily, deep clean monthly