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Bearded Dragon Show Tank Substrates Q's.......

Posted By:

PatHigdon

I am setting up a 100gal "show tank" for my Beardies and want it to look nice. I currently keep them on double sifted playsand. But am looking for a mixture that will be less dusty and easier on the eye than just play sand.

Any suggestions??

Also, any suggestions on live plants??


Points:	150
Topics:	Caging Plans
Tags:	Substrate
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

5/1/2009 1:40:20 PM

FyreFocks

I alway liked using ground walnut shells with my beardies, though ive just been told it could cause impaction issues. I never had an issue with it, but it could just be my good luck. As for live plants, im not too sure. I would say cactus, but it could be harmful to the animals. The other issue with live plants is that crickets will eat them if they are left in the cage too long.

Member Comment

5/1/2009 1:43:03 PM

JohnJohn

Hey. I definitely understand your question. I have my collared lizards in a big 75 gallon tank with playsand and a nice array of rocks. It looks beautiful for about a day right after I clean it but after that the glass is all covered with dust and bits from the sand.

I don't know of any answer to that problem. For some of these lizards I do think that sand is the best substrate, but it's a pain for keeping the glass clean. Maybe someone else will have some tricks or hints.

For such a big tank you will need some serious lighting and heating elements to maintain the temps, depending on where you live and how tall the tank. On my 75 gallon tank I have two large undertank heaters on the warm end, one big long fluorescent tube lamp, two full-spectrum fluorescent spot lamps and a basking light over the rocky basking area. This barely keeps the temps proper for my collareds and I have to add a ceramic heat emitter in the winter months. However, I have found that boosting the full spectrum fluorescent lighting really makes a LOT of difference to my lizards health and their behavior. I really believe this is very important.

Member Comment

5/1/2009 2:55:39 PM

Mel4short

Although it would take quite a bit to cover the bottom of the 100gal, I have my beardie on excavator clay, and I love it!! Keeps his nails nice and trim, easy to clean. I do have a litter trained beardie though! He poops outside!! The clay dries pretty hard. Package description says it can be shaped a bit before hardening. Give it a look!

Member Comment

5/1/2009 3:52:34 PM

magsj387

I'd go with ground walnut, they just redid the "formula" is its much finer, I switched over to that from sand while I had beardies and it was much easier and a hell of a lot cheaper than anything else out there, especially when it comes to filling a 100g. I'd go with Nate's suggestion. As far as plants go, I'd find a nice array of THICK plastic plants NO silk ones. You'd have to go down the list as far as reptile safe plants go, heres a great list http://www.bluebeastreptile.com/plantlist.htm and find something that could grow in that type of environment along with surviving the toll the beardies would put on it. You'll probably find that plastic would hold up better and require a lot less hassle, something like these http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/dcor/desert-series-terrarium-plants.htm Good luck with the design!

Member Comment

5/4/2009 1:27:02 PM

Krestie Kate

We used to keep aloe plants in with our uromastyx, but never planted them i know millet seed is suggested for uros i don't see why you couldnt use it with the beardies we used that with a mix of exovation clay to make big caves that utilized the vertical space of the cage.

Member Comment

5/5/2009 1:30:42 PM

Krymsan

I'm going to be using Tile for my tank. A lot of people question using sand because it can be mistakenly digested and become impacted (which can cause death). Tile will also help file down their nails. That is my suggestion anyway. I'm currently using newspaper until I get my tile cut.

You should post pictures of the finished product!

Member Comment

5/5/2009 2:30:22 PM

shellboa

I keep my beardies on millet and put pretty rocks and a big branch in with them. If you are wanting to use live plants make sure they are of a kind that won't hurt your dragons if they nibble! Nasturtiums are really pretty, easy to grow and yummy! you could plant some in a really shallow planter then cover the planter with rocks arranged around it and toss millet in the cracls. If you want to just stick to your sand you could do the same thing, I'm not into sand because of the dust. By pretty rocks I mean Montana picture stone and desert Jasper also I have one big chunk of rose quartz that the female has claimed as hers. You might consider some kind of nifty back ground paper also. I have blue clouds but I know they have all kinds of nice "fishtank" scenery stuff that easy to stick on the back of the tank.

Author Comment

5/5/2009 5:25:18 PM

PatHigdon

Thanks for all the great ideas& suggestions everyone!!!

Pat

Member Comment

5/8/2009 10:49:28 PM

Joseph Jenkins

Play sand

Author Comment

6/18/2009 9:24:34 AM

PatHigdon

Thanks for all the good suggestions!!

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