I was wondering whether it would be better/cheaper for me to buy a starter pack from one of the main reptile shops or buy individual components (for a beardie)? This will be my 1st lizard so want whats easier.
Before anyone suggests making a viv...I am useless at carpentry!

Some times a starter pack is the best way but the vivarium in your starter pack has to be big enough for the lizard in 18 months or it is false economy..........

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LOOKING FOR LOCATION TO OPEN REPTILE SHOP LN AREA I THINK BUT OPEN TO BD

This is what I've seen, wondered if anybody would recommend it?
Bearded Dragon Starter Kit, Bearded Dragon Complete Setup/Starter Kit 4ftx2ftx2f

By the way, do you need one digital thermometer at each end of the viv?

Well that is a very extensive looking setup and should cover everything you will ever need I think to be honest. You might not want *all* those extras and could probably get a good basic setup in the same size viv for £200 without a dimming stat (but with a mat stat, which is half the price) and some of the other accessories (use paper towel / newspaper for example and save yourself £12.99 on that listed substrate price)

I don't think anything in that setup is strictly "unnecessary" in fact, it seems a good comprehensive setup... but a lot of people wouldn't buy all of those things, so you might save money, depending on if you were going to buy those things or not

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As your an almighty moderator could you write me a list of what you think would be an ideal set up? Or is there somewhere on the forum where I could find this? Thanks mate.

Don't think being a moderator really affects my knowledge but the starter set up we sell for bearded dragons is

Tank (4 foot is good, either 48 x 15 x 15 or 48 x 24 x 24)
Heat Mat
Mat Thermostat
Thermometer
Basking Fitting
Basking Light
Water Bowl
Some sort of either hide, bark, climbing thing, rock, whatever, just general decor.

For our store, we sell the above setup @ £180 for 48 x 15 and £200 for 48 x 24 x 24...

If you want to be 100% sure, you can add a dimming thermostat to the light, which is usually an extra £50

A digital thermometer is a lot more accurate than a dial one and will usually set you back £10-15

I wouldn't add a substrate because I'd use paper towel / newspaper for the first 3-4 months at least

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you include heat mats and mat stats for a beardie?

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J.J.I.A.F.W

I do, yes.

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Hi

Can you just clarify your heating methods for me. Am I right in thinking that you're saying you don't need to use a thermostat with a basking spotlamp? What size heatmat are you using in a 4ft viv, where about are you putting it, and what temperature would you be setting the matstat to? Or are you using the matstat to control the bulb, turning the bulb completely on and off instead of dimming it. If so how are you controlling the heatmat? Is the heatmat for day or night use? I noticed there's no mention of UV in the beardie setup that you sell.

Sorry for all the questions, but it just seems a bit of strange arrangement. I don't think heatmats are designed for basking lizards, and I think a thermostat is essential for use in enclosed vivariums.

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1.0.0 Yemen Chameleon - Pete
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon - Stripe
0.0.1 Royal Python - Vince
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko - Stumpy
0.0.2 Waxy Monkey Frogs - Eee & Tee
1.1.0 Giant Monkey Frogs - Valerie & Angus
0.0.2 Asian Foam Nest Treefrogs - Tick and Tock
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon - Frank
1.1.0 Yellow Bellied Terrapins - Fiona & Terry
0.0.6 Axolotls
0.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa - Helen
0.0.1 Creamsicle Cornsnake - Chubby
0.1.0 Pug - Gertie

Hi BIGbeard,

I put this Bearded Dragon kit together myself with the help of friends that have kept and currently have bearded dragons. After a few experiments this is the best one. One of the first beardie setups we put together was not as tall as this 2' high one. We found beardies were restless not being able to bask higher as when you take into account the space the basking lamp takes up some of the shorter vivs aren't high enough to have adequate living space especially when they're adults.

Athravan made a good point about the substrate, we are going to make the substrate optional as it's the only thing in there that isn't essential.

It's important to measure the temperatures at both ends of the vivarium, you can use two thermometers or move one around.

Great idea to join this forum, it's a fantastic resource and you'll find a wealth of information to help you with your research.

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1.0.0 Yemen Chameleon - Pete
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon - Stripe
0.0.1 Royal Python - Vince
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko - Stumpy
0.0.2 Waxy Monkey Frogs - Eee & Tee
1.1.0 Giant Monkey Frogs - Valerie & Angus
0.0.2 Asian Foam Nest Treefrogs - Tick and Tock
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon - Frank
1.1.0 Yellow Bellied Terrapins - Fiona & Terry
0.0.6 Axolotls
0.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa - Helen
0.0.1 Creamsicle Cornsnake - Chubby
0.1.0 Pug - Gertie