Before you welcome a new bearded dragon into your home, you’ll have to set up their enclosure first. While there is no shortage of great options, creating the best bearded dragon setup can really be an overwhelming task.
Many first-time keepers make mistakes and end up using the wrong substrate or lighting, which can be detrimental to the health and well-being of their bearded dragons. My first beardie suffered serious health problems and took months to recover because I didn’t put a UVB light in his enclosure.
To help you avoid repeating my mistakes, I’ve decided to find the perfect bearded dragon enclosure starter kit that will allow your beardie to live life to the fullest! Stay with me until the end of this article to find out the best bearded dragon tank setup and what an enclosure should be like.
TOP PICK
If you are looking for a sturdy, safe, and secure bearded dragon tank, then I recommend the Exo Terra GlassTerrarium Kit for Reptiles. This all-glassterrarium kit comes with a patented front window that provides adequate ventilation and ample airflow for your beardie. This model also comes with a raised bottom frame for a substrate heater and escape-proof dual doors.
Best Bearded Dragon Tank Setups
Whether you are looking for the best starter kit for a juvenile bearded dragon or a spacious
1. Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit for Reptiles
The Exo Terra mini-wide all-glass
Key Features
- Measuring 12 x 12 x 12 inches
- Waterproof bottom
- Dual doors for easy access
Made entirely out of glass, this bearded dragon
This bearded dragon
Pros:
- Stainless steel mesh cover provides ample ventilation and airflow
- Thick glass holds heat and humidity
- Simple and yet durable all-glass design
- Front opening doors allow easy access and feeding
Cons:
- Although suitable for juvenile bearded dragons, this tank is too small for most adults
Overall, the Exo Terra Glass
2. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium
This bearded dragon
Key Features
- Lockable mesh top
- Measuring 35.9 x 18 x 23.6 inches
- Deep waterproof base
This bearded setup is also made entirely from glass, and it features a standard lockable mesh top that has built-in gaps for wires and serves to keep the tank properly ventilated. The dual front doors give you plenty of access for feeding your bearded dragon.
Unlike many other cages, this tank closes with a key lock that prevents your bearded pet from escaping. The base of this tank is completely waterproof so you don’t have to worry about messes leaking and dripping on your flooring.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing and durable design
- The escape-proof door close with a key lock
- Dual front door allows easy access for handling and feeding
- A waterproof base keeps all messes and substrate contained inside the enclosure
Cons:
- The mesh top may need to get reinforced if you plan to use heavy overhead heaters
All things considered, the Carolina Custom Cages
3. Zilla Tropical Reptile Vertical Starter Kit with Mini Halogen Lighting
This reptile starter kit from Zilla comes with a mini halogen light and makes a perfect habitat for a baby bearded dragon. Made from high-quality tempered glass, this small
Key Features
- Measuring 16 x 16 x 22 inches
- Comes with a mini halogen light
- Front opening door
An ideal setup for beginner bearded dragon keepers, this small tank contains everything a baby bearded dragon needs to stay happy and healthy. The front door comes with a locking latch and pin, and a hinged screen top for easy access.
The mini halogen light sits on the mesh top and provides plenty of heat for the enclosure, though additional lamps or heating elements can be set up if necessary. This bearded dragon setup comes with a patented front that provides ample airflow and keeps the tank properly ventilated.
Pros:
- The front opening door has a locking latch
- Comes with a mini halogen light that heats the tank
- Easy to clean and maintain thanks to front doors
- Sturdy and made from high-quality glass
Cons:
- A few owners noted that there is plenty of room behind the foam wall for insects to escape and hide before their beardies eat them.
- Because this enclosure is so tall and lacks a lot of horizontal space, it is not ideal for older and larger dragons
- You may need to set up some sturdy platforms and branches for your beardie to safely get the most out of the vertical space in this enclosure.
Overall, although too small for adult beardies, the Zilla Tropical Reptile Vertical Starter Kit with Mini Halogen Lighting is a good setup for baby bearded dragons.
4. Zilla Reptile Starter Kit 10 with Light and Heat
The Zilla Reptile Starter Kit 10 with Light and Heat is an ideal habitat for bearded dragons and other desert-dwelling animals. Besides being a great choice for hatchlings and juvenile bearded dragons, this starter kit can also serve as inspiration if you are looking for bearded dragon setup ideas.
Key Features
- Measuring 23.75 x 14.5 x 17.75 inches
- Comes with two reflective dome light fixtures
- Has a removable top screen cover
Made entirely of glass, this reptile starter kit features a removable top mesh screen cover instead of front doors. The screen allows proper ventilation and keeps the inside of the
This setup comes with two light fixtures that come with night black incandescent and white spot bulbs to provide night and day heat. To make the setup complete for a beginner reptile keeper, Zilla also included a brown
Pros:
- Made to mimic the natural environment of desert-dwelling animals
- Comes with two light fixtures
- The top mesh screen keeps the tank properly ventilated
- Escape-proof screen cover keeps baby beardies inside the tank
Cons:
- This starter kit doesn’t contain a UVB light, so you’ll need to purchase one separately
- Since this enclosure is on the smaller side, you’ll need a larger tank later when your bearded dragon grows to its subadult and eventual adult size.
All in all, once you purchase an additional UVB light, the Zilla Reptile Starter Kit 10 with Light and Heat has everything a baby bearded dragon needs from their enclosure to help them grow and develop properly.
5. REPTIZOO Mini Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank
The REPTIZOO Mini Reptile Glass
Key Features
- Measuring 8 x 8 x 12 inches
- Cover includes feeding ports
- Sliding door
This small glass tank features a lift and pull top sliding door that allows simple and convenient top feeding. Featuring a mesh design, the top door also provides adequate ventilation and keeps the inside of the tank comfortable and breathable. The metal screen is also safe for an overhead
This tank is also watertight, so you don’t have to worry about leaking water or other messes. Unlike other bearded dragon tanks, this model has a pre-drilled feeding hole that allows you to just drop the food into the tank without removing the whole top cover.
Pros:
- Removable mesh top keeps the entire tank properly ventilated
- The sliding top screen is easy to remove for feeding and cleaning the tank
- The glass construction helps maintain the adequate heat gradient inside the tank
- A waterproof base keeps the water and messes contained inside the enclosure
Cons:
- Most baby bearded dragons will outgrow this tank in a few months
- Since this enclosure has more vertical than horizontal space, it may help to install lots of platforms and branches for your baby beardie to safely climb on
Overall, the REPTIZOO Mini Reptile Glass
Creating the Best Bearded Dragon Setup
While there are many interesting DIY bearded dragon enclosure ideas and different
Finding the perfect tank will come down to the type of setup you want, the age and size of your bearded dragon, and your budget. With that being said, here are several other things you need to consider when choosing a
Material
Bearded dragon tanks can be made from different types of materials ranging from PVC and glass to even wood. Glass enclosures are the most common, and they are usually more sturdy and last longer compared to other types. However, depending on the size, glass tanks can be quite heavy and offer less ventilation compared to other models.
Size
When shopping for a bearded dragon setup, always keep the size of your beardie in mind. While baby bearded dragons can do well and thrive in a small enclosure, adults need plenty of room to move around comfortably. If you do decide to get a smaller tank at the beginning, know that you’ll have to invest in a bigger
Ventilation
While making sure that there are no holes or areas your beardie can use to escape, you should also ensure that the tank is properly ventilated. Most terrariums have mesh covers on the top or patented ventilation holes near the door to provide ample airflow inside the tank.
Security
To prevent your bearded dragon from escaping the tank any chance it gets, look for terrariums that have the best escape-proof features. While key locks are the best for preventing escape attempts, not many tanks have them, so look for locking latches and safety pins.
Heat
Some bearded dragon tank setups come with a
Be sure to purchase a
Vertical vs. Horizontal Layout
When it comes to bearded dragons, horizontal enclosures are always a better option since they provide more ground space. While bearded dragons do enjoy exploring their enclosures, they aren’t the most agile climbers.
However, a vertical enclosure can work too, especially if you are planning to use it as temporary housing for a baby bearded dragon while you are looking for an extra-large enclosure. If you’re worried about your beardie’s safety in the enclosure and preventing any fall injuries, you can install platforms and branches and line the floor of the enclosure with a soft, cushiony substrate.
Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to purchase a larger enclosure with more horizontal space when your bearded dragon grows into its juvenile and eventually adult size.
FAQs About Bearded Dragon Habitats
How should a bearded dragon tank be set up?
Every bearded dragon tank should have proper lights, humidity, heating, substrate, supplies, and decoration. The size of the tank also matters and will depend on the age of your bearded dragon.
As a general rule, a 10 to 30-gallon tank is suitable for hatchlings, young adults can live in a 40 to 50-gallon tank, and adult beardies need at least a 50+ gallon tank to stay healthy and feel comfortable.
What does a good bearded dragon setup look like?
A good bearded dragon setup should mimic their real desert environment as closely as possible. Adult bearded dragons should live in a large enough tank with the humidity from 30% to 40% and a temperature of 95 to 100°F (high) and 75°F (low).
The perfect setup should also have a
What do bearded dragons like in their tank?
Bearded dragons prefer that their tanks resemble their natural environment as much as possible. Being a desert animal, your bearded dragon will like to have bright light above its tank during the day that will keep them warm and cozy. They also need an additional UVB light to mimic natural sunlight since without it they’ll experience problems with their metabolism and bone development.
All Set to Set Up?
There are many different types of bearded dragon enclosures. While some of them mimic the beardie’s natural desert environment perfectly, others don’t offer much in terms of size, ventilation, or security.
Keeping all of that in mind, I’ve found that the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit will give you a great foundation for the best bearded dragon setup. This particular enclosure comes in several different sizes which makes it suitable for hatchlings, sub-adults, and fully-grown bearded dragons.
Being made entirely from glass, this enclosure looks appealing and it also holds heat ensuring that your beardie feels warm and cozy inside their home. This tank also has an escape-proof double door and a patented front window that ensures proper ventilation inside the tank.
Whether you are looking for a setup for a hatchling, juvenile, or adult bearded dragon, you can’t go wrong by choosing this tank! And if this enclosure doesn’t work for you, one of the four other bearded dragon tanks reviewed above certainly will.
