building a vivarium from scratch

[m3uk]

hi I'm building a vivarium from scratch for a bearded dragon my dad is a window fitter and was wondering if an all glass vivarium would upset the bearded dragon

and how would i go about venting the tank? someone said something about mes flooring but if somebody could go into detail that would be great

also I've read that baby beardies cage sizes differ to adults due to them not being able to catch their food would partitioning a 100cm x 50cm x 50cm be OK for the time being until it grows

if so what are the recommended dimensions for a baby beardie

oh and some more questions

once vivarium is made i need UVB, Basking light, basking rock, timer

UV lighting is on 12-14 hours a day and off 10-12 hours a day

spotlight needed to keep temp to 30C/86F daytime

light off at night temp to be 20-22c/68-72F

basking area temp 38C

please verify if this is correct

also can anyone recommend a substrate for a baby beardie

thank you

[Rainfrog]

Im not good with metric but ill try to help.

1. NO HEAT ROCK!!! These do not provide proper radiant heat and cause terrible burns. look up photos online it will make you sick!

2. Beardies need UVB, and high temps. Tepsa should be around 105F on the warm side with basking around 115-120F

Photo period of 12-12 in winter and 12-14 summer is good.

adult size tank for 1 would be fine 6'x2'x2'. TOP NEEDS TO BE SCREEN. UV rays can not pass through glass or plastic. and ventilation is important so Atleast most of the top(all areas UV needs to come through) needs to be screen.

Small animals get stressed when there is this huge world around them. you can partition off a section of the large tank for the. Or make sure there are lots and lots of hiding places. this will reduce stress for the little guy. as far as food if you have a large tank or a n animal havin trouble catching food feed it with a pair of small tongs them you know its getting what it needs.

[m3uk]

if i have lots of hiding places will that not encourage him to hide instead of bask

[obeligz]

Lots of hidingplaces will give him a sense of safety which will give him the courage to come out also when you are around.
Putting him in a big enclosure right away will not stress him more but if there are enough hiding places you won't see him much until he is more hungry than stressed.
If you intend to build him a large custom tank in the future keep keep your temporary viv as simple as possible. It should have room for 10cm of substrate. This way you can establish a "living substrate" (containing some mositure at least, plants and other beneficial microorganisms that live in dry arid landscapes).

One lamp may be enough for UV, lighting and basking spot. Check out lucky reptile's UV desert sun HQI bulbs. Add more bulbs until you achieve desired temperature at the hotspot at the hottest part of the day, makes your grasses and other plants grow, which will provide shade and bind the substrate so that the animals can dig around underground.
With sufficient lighting installed, the search for the hardy plant for the beardie tank starts. You can also provide shade with sticks, roots and stones but a mixture of animals, plants and stones looks neat in any tank

Substrate for babies same as for adults but a little more moist. If your animal is a healthy one it won't try to suicide by choking on pebbles.