Custom Melamine Bearded Dragon Enclosure (In Depth Instructions!!!)

EDIT: I highly recommend the t5 bulb and fixture over the t8, just test your temps for a whole day before putting a dragon inside. They last a whole year and the quality of UVB light for that year is WAY better then the t8 bulbs, check out the Arcadia brand for t5, they do an excellent job.


It takes a lot of time to make these videos so liking and sharing them helps a lot. Thank you so much!

Cage dimensions: Photo of cuts found in video
Bottom: 24"X46"
Top: 24"X46"
Front viewing boards for sliders: 3"X44.5" (X2)
Back: 18.25"X44.5"
Sides: 24"X18.25" (X2)

All this can be cut from a single sheet of melamine ($28 at Home Depot): 97"X49": https://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-M...

Tools Needed:
Chop Saw: https://amzn.to/35Zlkfi
Drill: https://amzn.to/2rUb6hO
Impact Drill: https://amzn.to/2rUb6hO
Counter Sink: https://amzn.to/2ql6IYC
Wire Stripper: https://amzn.to/387ofVj
Spade drill set: https://amzn.to/2DLbCkH or hole saw set: https://amzn.to/2sJT6Hb
Caulk Gun: https://amzn.to/386YCUI


Materials Needed:
Plexi Glass or Glass 12"X24" X2 (Prices went up after I bought :O ): https://amzn.to/350Trnn
Gorilla Glue or Liquid Nails: https://amzn.to/2RjnkLu or https://amzn.to/2PchR6x
White Caulk: https://amzn.to/2RgzIvM
Melamine sheet: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-M...
Light fixture: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-...
UVB Florescent Light fixture 24": https://amzn.to/2Rh3lgx
Sheet rock screws size 6, 1.25": https://amzn.to/2Pikxzq
Smaller screws for lights .5": https://amzn.to/2rRcGRr
Extension cord X2: https://amzn.to/2YgLlnS
Timer for lights:https://amzn.to/33KRBp2
Melamine banding tape: https://amzn.to/2Yjl9Jl

Metal C shape brackets (for glass windows): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
or plastic one (https://www.homedepot.com/p/2417-Seri...)

Extras:
Temp Gun: https://amzn.to/2OOj3hm
Handles: https://amzn.to/33MfOLD
Boat Carpet: https://amzn.to/364DNat

Light Bulbs: I just got these and have only been using them for a month so far. The reviews were bad but I am really liking them so far. Other flood lights would work great just make sure they are not too close to your bearded dragon.
50W Bulb: https://amzn.to/2OOnYig
75W Bulb: https://amzn.to/33LrTAF
T8 UVB 24" 10.0 : https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-t8-rept...






Detail instructions on building a melamine bearded dragon or reptile enclosure. Talk about the benefits of the T5 Bulbs and T8 Bulbs. Go into the different sizes of bulbs and which ones are best for your reptile enclosure. Other lighting setups for reptile and bearded dragon enclosures. Front facing enclosures. Melamine enclosures. The benefits of a melamine reptile enclosure. Advice for light location and set up for bearded dragon enclosure. Breeding bearded dragon enclosure tips. Talk about pet stores being a bad place to get advice. Stay away from aquarium tank set ups, they are clunky and more expensive. Custom enclosures are way cheaper and higher end. Best tank set up tips. Custom Melamine Bearded Dragon Enclosure (In Depth Instructions!!!)

T5 UVB bulbs will put out more heat and more intense UVB rays so you will want your bearded dragon farther away from the light. With our 18" high enclosure T8 works better because we don't need more heat and it should be about 6" away or more from your dragon.