Bearded Dragon Habitat | A short How To Guide

One year later, see my update here: • Bioactive Bearded Drag...
After deciding on an appropriate school pet, the Bearded Dragon, I did tons of research on how to setup a habitat for him. This is what I came up with! I decided to create a Bioactive Enclosure or Bioactive Tank. This means that the habitat is not a sterile environment, but instead a mini ecosystem of plants and insects that work together to create a naturalistic habitat that is self-cleaning (or at least somewhat self-cleaning). Bearded Dragons are from the Outback of Australia which is a hot, dry, and difficult environment, but not exactly the sandy desert you might think of. In this video I show how I created my soil mix, selected and prepared the hardscape, picked out the plants, and added the supporting insects known as the Clean Up Crew. I hope you will enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed making it. Feel free to add your advice below or if you are a Lafayette student, stop by the office! I look forward to meeting you, and so does the dragon. A NAME REVEAL VIDEO will be coming soon!
I truly learned a lot from my research and this process. Learning new things is fun so never stop learning!
Here is the substrate recipe. Your mileage may vary! I tried several different formulations based on my research. I wanted something that I could buy locally, would hold moisture for the clean up crew, was safe for the beardie, would hold it's shape if he dug in it, and was good for the plants.
4 parts organic soil (no vermiculite or perlite).
2 parts play sand (or other clean sand that is low in dust)
2 parts Repti-bark or Orchid bark
2 parts Excavator clay
2 parts coconut coir
1 part peat moss
I would be sure to sterilize the soil by baking it in an oven at 300F or 150C for 30 minutes.

[@corald3638]

Describing what the bearded dragons natural environment is like while setting up the tank was very relaxing, and gave me a new perspective of how my bearded dragon would have lived her life without me

[@DOTTYTIME]

Yes he did a very good job he answered a lot of questions I had .

[@ChuckNorrizBeardedDragons]

kzbin.info/aero/PL1jBPLrR0jP1eyQtqAPRY-1pzLXY19ir4

[@kaytarracorrea25]

I've always tries setting up things like this for pets lol

[@StikFigureJesus]

I wish I'd have had a teacher like you!!! Thanks for the video as we get ready to set up our environment.

[@richardroyster405]

Good luck!

[@lucasmackenzie1807]

the most in detialed setup veido i have seen good job

[@richardroyster405]

I appreciate it! I tried to strike a balance between not too long, but still solid info.

[@erinw1737]

@june gaming i mean its fine you dont need to be rude about it :(

[@nicholastestagooglephotos9948]

Seriously, awesome video!

[@kayasteele669]

Exotic Justice ok but you new what he was saying

[@kellywicker8985]

@@richardroyster405 do you still have the Bearded Dragon? If so how's the Bio working?

[@trineki2716]

this is probasbly the first video that actually goes well into how to make the substrate, so thank you for that, one piece of advice is if you do find the beardie digging, you need to add rocks to go all the way to the bottom so he doesnt dig under the rocks and get hurt

[@southernfarmmomma3818]

I've had my bearded dragon for several months now. I just have a basic set up. I am upgrading to a larger tank and you have given me a lot of great ideas. Thanks and good video.

[@richardroyster405]

Thanks for the positive feedback! Good luck!

[@yuzufruit6505]

My first beardie died very soon after getting her because the pet store employee told me to get sand substrate. I’m so glad you’ve done so much research to take such amazing care of your beardie! That’s one lucky bearded dragon!

[@richardroyster405]

Poor Beardie! I think lots of keepers keep their beardies on sand, just not when they are babies.

[@drakothedragon3474]

my beardie live on sand substrate for 8 years and he did fine also they do not need humity they will get a infeted very easy and i had done reserch on beardie for a month and ha don for 8 years that is a good happy life not including what i wach on this video that is all.

[@chris6054]

@@drakothedragon3474 Imagine a human dying at 20 years old and saying "Oh well, they lived a happy life." A bearded dragon can and 100% should live 20+ years in captivity lol.

[@finestsickman216]

@@chris6054 yeah 100%true beardies live 5 to 8 years in the wild which is what they live in captivity when the owner isnt taking care of them propery or have wrong lights. 8 years isnt lsnt long for a beardie some chameleons whos housing is gpod live longer then that defiently should brag about ur 8 year old beardie that lived on sand probably shortened his life

[@chris6054]

@@finestsickman216 People think a ~13yo dog is so outstanding, meanwhile very few seem to realize the two oldest dogs were both pushing 30. People set these limitations on things and then we look like absolute morons.

[@thomasang6281]

Best bioactive enclosure video for bearded dragons so far.

[@soph6843]

This setup is AMAZING!

[@wildchild1427]

My son purchased a bearded dragon about 2 months ago. He's become the family pet😍! Can't wait to show my son this video of what live edible plants we can add to his habitat. Great calming educational video.

[@kendramize9072]

That is an amazing hide, there's multiple exits so it feels like it can leave if needed but still closed off enough to feel safe and cozy

[@richardroyster405]

He never uses it LOL! It could probably be bigger. Now that he is full grown it would be a tight fit.

[@jojopellegrini2945]

I found one outside my kiddos school frozen and almost dead, I got him warmed up and back to life. Getting him a cool set up like this one

[@richardroyster405]

Wut??? That's wild.

[@giovannimorales6063]

This is the best looking tank I’ve seen

[@kateshaw1581]

Thanks for this! I've been so scared to look at anything else for a substrate and asked around on social media platforms and I ALWAYS get NO.. but I think to myself..they don't live on tile or definitely not paper towels..I'm just fixing a set up with a BD that was basically handed to me as someone was moving out of state and feel like I'm playing catch up. This video was very informative and I LEARNED!!

[@alysesteele7403]

I finally got my husband to agree to reptiles and the first species we’d like to house is a bearded dragon. I’ve been doing research for weeks about substrates, tank size, life cycle, feeding, watering and natural habitats. This is the first video I’ve seen that gave me definitive answers and a pathway to creating my own terrarium. Thank you so much, sir, and what a beautiful enclosure!

[@reneescheibe9240]

Same. Using the natural environment is something that he will definitely agree to. It’s beautiful.. love the idea of having a mini ecosphere😀

[@abigailearnheart8720]

I will say, the size enclosure he picked is not viable for adult bearded dragons for their entire life!! The US standard is a 40 gallon breeder, but literally every other country's standard is at LEAST 150 gallons!! Give your beardie some roaming space! This enclosure is indeed wonderful! But my philosophy has always been go big or go home!

[@colinjohnson4903]

Humidity = respiratory infection

[@abigailearnheart8720]

@@colinjohnson4903 I've read that spaced out temporary spikes due to watering for plants in a bioactive arid enclosure does no harm, as long as humidity stays below 40% normally, and doesn't take longer than a day or so to drop back down to 40% or below

[@colinjohnson4903]

@@abigailearnheart8720 he has to water those plants, every time he does the humidity will increase. Also plant can cause humidity. Also prickly pears sounds like a hurt dragon

[@secondmom63]

I have the same tank, full of fish right now. But they are moving to a different tank this weekend. I was wondering what to do with the tank. And as I was researching the bearded dragon, I see you using it as a set up for one. No longer searching for a pen, as I had one in front of me. You're a great teacher. Thank you for giving a lot of needed advice.

[@frankpierco8826]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. Very nice set-up too. Just some extra tips. When it comes to arthropods, simply use the actual rolypolies, the ones that curl up when threatened. They are somewhat more resilient to dryer environments than the ones that do not curl up. Actually, in periods of drought, they roll up to evaporate less moisture and sit out the drought. As far as the springtails go, the purple ones are more resilient to dryer environments than the white ones. But these are more difficult to find, unfortunately. And for those that do not want to lose time having to wait for the silicone to dry: using liquid superglue on cotton (or even toilet paper) makes for a really strong bond instantly. Quite handy for complex structures. This something I learned from watching aquascaping videos (aquariums). Ones the fumes evaporated, the bond is completely safe even for aquariums and amfibians. Just make sure that your workspace has good ventilation with this procedure. And one last remark: when choosing succulent plants, DO NOT use the ones with the white milky juice. Those are poisonous!

[@richardroyster405]

Thanks for the extra tips!

[@dstny135]

This is an amazing guide. Informative without being boring.

[@Mark_from_IT]

He started setting up that table and 28 seconds in I said “oh, this ain’t the pet for me”

[@aliceduffy1370]

I learned a lot watching this, and it the kind of programming my kids grew up on watching KET - it is informative and interesting. Great job!

[@richardroyster405]

Thank you! I'm a regular Mr. Rogers. HAHA!

[@bestillandlove789]

This video is so awesome I really appreciate the way that you take the time to explain what everything is and the purpose it provides and the impact it has not just on the bearded dragon but on the entire system !

[@tracyc.1005]

I really enjoyed watching this video and the scientific explanations behind your choices. Your student are lucky to have you and will enjoy the beardie!

[@unsunghero5077]

You set up is fantastic, I followed your steps and it came out perfect. I am going on a year now with the setup and the mix is like day one.

[@princess_glitzy424]

Absolutely love this you are setting a amazing example for your students to learn and treat animals well would have loved to be in a class like this

[@BOS9679]

Great summation of your project!! Well thought out, planned and structured for the absolute best enclosure for any pet dragon

[@NolanPreble]

Thank you! This clears up so much about bearded dragons and how to prepare the tank

[@jimmy6919]

This is one of the best, most detailed setups I’ve seen on KZbin I’m very impressed!

[@richardroyster405]

Thanks for the positive comments!

[@Mr.AndyLopez]

this is probably the best bio setup I have seen so far!! great job!! please do more.

[@richardroyster405]

Thank you! I have done an update video and I hope you check it out.

[@robsundance203]

Love the idea of a bioactive habitat. Watching with interest as we are in the process of getting a larger enclosure for our beardie, so may borrow a few ideas 👌🏻

[@lunarminx]

This is an awesome video, precise and to the point while keeping us engaged. How I wish more videos were like yours.

[@richardroyster405]

Glad it was helpful!

[@roach3534]

I love this, so informative and helped me so much decide on my loose substrate mix

[@WaveRdr]

Great job Richard! Very thorough! I've had a bio-active setup for a couple of years now, using soil that I purchased. I've been thinking about redoing the tank and creating my own mixture. I learned a lot watching how you made your soil. Thanks!

[@richardroyster405]

Good luck! I saw so many different soil formulas online it was ridiculous. I don't think my mix will hold tunnels when it is dried out, but Didgie doesn't seem to be interested in digging tunnels. He is making a low spot in the rock cave and he likes to hunker down there and hide in the leaves. It'll be a good brumation spot when the time comes.

[@alinacheeks2774]

This is amazing! I loved watching this! I have two dragons and this video has really made me rethink there tanks! Thank you!

[@GrizzlyDave85]

Two points: Deeper substrate so the Beardie can dig. LED lighting for the plants. I also would use a strip UVB bulb instead of one of the coil bulbs

[@richardroyster405]

I've made some of these changes and you can see that in my update video.

[@GrizzlyDave85]

Richard Royster awesome I’ll check it out. Not being mean, sorry if it came off that way

[@rogerroo]

@@GrizzlyDave85 he’s the one that says always be learning lol. No need to apologize 😊

[@lunacardinal2271]

@@GrizzlyDave85 he did say if you have advice or guidance to comment lol you're good.

[@felitocollado]

im planning on getting a new tank soon, and i wanted to give my bearded dragon a habitat where he would’ve lived in the wild. he’s a fancy bearded dragon and im glad i was able to find this video. thank u, u gave me a lot of tips and information i would’ve never found.

[@thelymrist7819]

Thank you for this video. My husband and I are new parents to a baby beardy and we love how you done your tank we want to do something similar for ours. We will be watching to learn more from you about bearded dragon care so please keep them coming. Thank You

[@mycraftyaddiction]

Thank you so much for making this video! It’s very informative and I learned so much!!

[@rkevinbryant]

Awesome job and very educational your students are blessed to have you.

[@lyssabencz3280]

Loved this! Thank you for making this so step-by-step!

[@richardroyster405]

Glad you enjoyed! I would love to hear about your successes and modifications.

[@highc6866]

I followed your advice on the substrate mixture- have it all mixed up and almost ready to pour it in. My beardie does semi to like to stick his tongue out in the yard, so hopefully this substrate doesnt cause an issue. Thanks for your video

[@frederickboyce9693]

Well done, and very informative on many levels. I'm also glad that there are still at least some schools that have classroom herps.

[@baybay4954]

im convincing my family to get me a beardie of my own and your videos are helping greatly with my research! thank you!

[@richardroyster405]

That's awesome! Glad I could help!

[@elegantbeetle6986]

Omg this is perfect, I’m using this same exact set up when i buy my bearded dragon soon 👍 thanks.

[@loriduggan7086]

Thank you so much. I have been told so many different things and most weren't true. I have truly learned alot❤.

[@sashamay7960]

This is so entertaining to watch thank u !

[@bolezy9070]

Great video. Much info on the plants. Love it. My daughter likes beardies and I'm thinking of getting one and setting it up for her. Was thinking of a bioactive setup but was hesitant because wasn't sure which plants are best. Your setup looks amazing by the way. I too am an animal lover and have a bit of a zoo on my hands. Look forward to more of your informative videos.

[@richardroyster405]

Look into to Blue Tongue Skinks and Pink Tongue Skinks. These are super cool and easier to care for.

[@DemolitionGrrl]

A great tip from my horticulturist hubby, 7th Generation is a great soap for literally washing your plants to make them tank safe!

[@Christian-zj3ul]

Best video on b dragon care on YT. You sir, are fantastic.

[@cornishcapers2375]

Nice easy to watch video, very helpful!!

[@cartermcclees3913]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEO! Recently got a bearded dragon it is my first reptile I know it is more of an intermediate pet but I did many research but I love watching your bearded dragon videos!

[@cartermcclees3913]

I got him 4 months ago now he’s my favorite

[@user-sy3uv1sb4r]

Best video I’ve seen very detailed and informative thank you

[@nickiignacio5893]

Beautiful set up!!

[@jessicabednark6710]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! My beardie is going to have a great tank!

[@karsongrourke1167]

What a great teacher great video sir

[@sass6134]

Best bioactive set video! More beardie stuff

[@bayyinahwatts2351]

Such a great video!

[@MalonLabe1776]

My guy absolutely loves rooting around in his dirt. I just make sure he doesn't get mouthfuls of dirt when he eats bugs off the ground

[@francesjohnson052204]

This was so informative!

[@DanBlackRacing]

Beardies like to dig. This seems like it would eventually not work out after their sharp claws get to that screening...

[@pamelatanke658]

THIS WAS VERY EDUCATIONAL.

[@beezeeflower9215]

This is such a wonderful video for a beardie home!!! Since this was posted 3 yrs ago, I’m curious how your beardie is doing now!!!

[@mettae485]

Very helpful, thanks

[@margeauxmiastrasburger]

I completly agree with your setup i just thing maybe add some led light on the plant side to help the growth of the plants and brighten up the big enclosure

[@briannametters1621]

Thank you I was having a hard time trying to figure out my beardie terrainium. But I suggest getting a tank with front opening windows, beardie don't like hands reaching down at them.

[@angelabrofford5915]

That's great looking

[@rmariee4443]

Awesome video!

[@shellyfunk]

Amazing and inspiring thank you

[@carapaul780]

Exactly the tutorial I was looking forward to! Can't wait to help my son Angus transition Liz E. Zard from a sandy substrate to her new bioactive home. :)

[@richardroyster405]

I hope it goes well! FWIW, I didn't have good luck with the plants, except for the Rosemary.

[@yesyes1299]

@@richardroyster405 you need a grow light for the plants i think

[@matthewjernigan7414]

Thank you this was very important good job

[@aliyastanton3506]

this video was extremely helpful.. thank you

[@richardroyster405]

Thank you! I appreciate the positive feedback.

[@maescollective5289]

Amazing

[@arijohn4138]

Thanks!

[@mikerotchburns7287]

You know, although they do live in those kind of environments, beardies live alot longer in captivity for this reason.

[@kenc9236]

Awesome video. I learned allot.

[@jodaddyswoodshop331]

Great Job man! I just started breed things for the high school I work at. I will be trying to get supplies as I can find to build an bio act tank.

[@Braptist]

That tank is pretty cool man

[@funnyfosteranimals]

THIS IS AWESOME!!

[@mcc3374]

Great video thanks!

[@Skye_IsTheLimit]

Subscribed!! Thanks for telling us where bearded dragons originate from, that was cool info 😁

[@laurelingalls7373]

Great video! I've been looking into bioactive enclosures recently :)

[@richardroyster405]

Thanks! Feel free to chat me up. There is also a Facebook group called Reptile and Amphibian Bioactive Setups. There is some good stuff there.

[@sxesilverado05]

Great video! I have my beardie in a bioactive set up and he loves it. I have often been on the receiving end of people "giving" me thier opinion on impaction 😂 "toothless" is almost 8 now and he has been in this type of substrate for a little more than a year, before this setup he was on crushed almond shell for 7 years. I feed him in a dish mostly. But I regularly dump a handful of superworms for him to hunt. He loves it. Also as an alternative to aquarium silicone which is crazy expensive, you can use he silicone 1, it HAS to be Silicone 1. After the gas off period that lasts a day or so it's completely animal safe. I've even used this method inside an aquarium. Silicone 2 has mold inhibitors in it.

[@richardroyster405]

Great tips

[@aidanlett9716]

great video!

[@matthewhill4883]

This guy knows his dragons!! Great and fantastic set up!! Where did you get your rocks from?

[@richardroyster405]

I collected these rocks and cleaned them up with bleach to be sure they were sanitized and then LOTS of rinsing. Thanks for the positives! I did a lot of research. There are MANY competing ideas floating around out there and few of them have been backed up with anything other than opinion.

[@jeremyyates9983]

Yea but theres reasons why captive dragons live longer than wild cause wild ones gets impacted

[@colinjohnson4903]

The moisture in the air will give your dragon a respiratory infection. This is more for a tropical lizard

[@lunarminx]

Very nice, thank you very much.

[@abbieoffman4105]

I felt like i was in class, great video. My dragons are in bioactive.

[@my_isabell]

Beautiful video, Richard! Thank you! What about adding some more branches and shelves? So much space Digi could enjoy... :)

[@ph00n0]

I'm a newb to this and immediately seen that you are going to want a side opening enclosure so you don't stress them out reaching in from above (they'll think it's a predator attacking like a bird)

[@WONDERFULREPTILES]

NICE WOOD .AND THE FINAL RESULT IS VERY GOOD

[@richardroyster405]

Thank you very much!

[@JohnKing042]

Loved the video. I am getting a baby Beardie in 2-3 weeks. I bought a 36x18x24 cage, a mat type substrate for now, and I'll add more stuff for my Beardie after he arrives, but I always enjoy a living terrarium. So, I will let him grow and get happy then maybe convert his cage to a bioactive one. look forward to the next video

[@nightinggale6470]

Nice! Keep in mind that adults need a 4x2x2’ enclosure bare minimum, and bigger is strongly recommended (many people believe the minimum should be even bigger than that). Mats aren’t a suitable substrate unfortunately, they harbour bacteria. New reptiles should be quarantined on paper towel for at least six weeks (ideally three months) to monitor their health. After, a suitable loose substrate is best (ie a soil/sand/clay mix).

[@yumco7588]

I want to have the same teacher. Best vid

[@jordanfisher9149]

This is the coolest bearded dragon home I’ve ever seen

[@richardroyster405]

Thank you! I'm pretty happy it. I've since done an update video in which I made a few changes. I hope you will check it out.

[@jordanfisher9149]

Richard Royster I already did ! Awesome work !

[@ch69rblcl]

Nice work 👍

[@thestickyshop9013]

this is sooooooooo awesome!!

[@suer3818]

This was very informative, but if you see this post, could you please go over the lighting, how you check your temps, and a follow up on your beardie? I’m going to check out any other videos you may have, in case you’ve already answered these questions. Thanks

[@robg5419]

nice habitat

[@lalylaly27]

Fantastic video!!!!!!! My favorite one on youtube!!! My suggestions: cover up sides of tank with decorative background. Use rinsed gravel/volcanic rock/clay balls and/or light diffuser as the majority of the drainage layer since charcoal can only collect so much "bad" before it ends up re-releasing it. I think a grow light for the plant's side will be best, as well as that heat gradient mentioned. Add a big chunk of soft driftwood and bury most of it in the plant section and every time you water, give that wood a little extra-clean up crew love rotting wood and proved a great home for them. Add mealworms and roaches(make sure none have mites!) Oh and just a reminder for everyone: Never boil or bake rocks- they will explode!!!!! Add a deeper substrate layer. Use Temperate Springtails.

[@richardroyster405]

Lots of good advice here! Thank you!

[@lalylaly27]

I did a lot of research, like you did, but then I'm also like... by definition: "a person of excessive order and fussy" 🤣

[@richardroyster405]

@@lalylaly27 I feel that.

[@CalebsAquarium]

I love this video, especially the plants, i plan to find some for my bearded dragon. If i had one critique, it would be i dont see a tube UVB fixture. UVB is vital to long term health for many reptiles including bearded dragons.

[@7summerbeauty]

Hello i am from the Netherlands and i will witheen 2 weeks try to give my bearded dragon a setup she deserves I will add all the stuff you mentioned especially the plants

[@richardroyster405]

Good luck! I didn't have good luck with my plants. I need to do an update video.

[@louie23fly]

very helpful thank you!

[@dabellmanzoo5410]

Love it thank you

[@AuthorJenniferNAdams]

You're an awesome teacher! I learned quite a bit from this video. Thank you for sharing! I do have one question, what did you use to cover the tank with?

[@richardroyster405]

There is no cover on the tank. It is tall enough that he cannot get out. One thing to consider on a tank is that if your lighting is above a screen, the screen can actually filter out a significant amount of light.