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Bearded dragon

Bearded dragon setup cost, line by line

We do not quote prices, because a number written last month is not one you can act on. Here is the complete line-item list in priority order instead.

By Brijon M.Last updated

A notebook and calculator for budgeting

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Why there are no numbers on this page

Prices move. A figure we wrote this month would be wrong for a lot of readers and stale for the rest, and a stale price is worse than no price because it looks authoritative. Every item below links straight through to its current Amazon price, which is the only honest way to answer a cost question. We earn a commission on those links, and it does not change what we recommend or the order we rank in.

The one-off setup, in priority order

Bearded dragon setup line items in buying priority order
PriorityLine itemWhat drives the cost up or down
1Enclosure at adult footprintSize, material (PVC vs glass), and whether it ships flat-pack
2Dimming or proportional thermostatChannel count and whether it has alarms
3Halogen basking lamp + guarded fixtureLow per unit; buy a spare bulb
4T5 HO UVB lamp + reflector fixtureTube length and brand; the fixture is a one-time cost, the tube is annual
5Infrared gun + probe thermometer/hygrometerBoth are cheap relative to everything above
6Basking slabStone or tile; often close to free from an offcut
7Three hidesMaterial and size
8Substrate at 4-6 in packedVolume. 80-120 quarts for a 4x2 footprint is the published figure
96500 K daylight lampLength of coverage needed - 75-100% of the enclosure
10Decor, branches, water dishEntirely discretionary

The recurring costs

Recurring costs after setup
ItemIntervalNote
UVB tube replacementEvery 12 monthsNon-negotiable. Output declines before visible light does
Loose substrate replacementEvery 3-6 monthsUnless bioactive, which is topped up instead
Basking bulb replacementAs neededProportional control extends bulb life noticeably
ElectricityContinuousCalculate from wattage, hours and your own rate - see our running costs guide
Food and supplementsOngoingOutside the scope of this site
Veterinary careAs neededBudget for it. An exotics vet visit is not a small line

The running costs guide has the electricity arithmetic and the three places the bill is actually decided.

Where not to economize

Where you genuinely can economize

  • The basking slab. A piece of slate or an unglazed tile offcut does the job as well as a branded product.
  • Hides. Any opaque, cleanable, correctly sized object works. Cork bark and plant pots are legitimate.
  • Decor. Entirely discretionary, and climbing branches can be collected and sterilized rather than bought.
  • The DIY substrate mix rather than a bioactive kit, if you are prepared to replace it on schedule.

Line item 1

Zen Habitats 4x2x2 PVC Reptile Enclosure

The decision that determines whether you buy an enclosure once or twice.

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Line item 2

Spyder Robotics Herpstat 1 Proportional Thermostat

Before the lamp, not after. Dimming output for a halogen, with an alarm.

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Line item 5

Infrared Temperature Gun

Cheap, and it is what tells you whether lines 2 and 3 are actually working.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a bearded dragon setup cost?

We do not quote a figure, because prices move and a stale number looks authoritative. The line items are listed above in priority order, each linking to current pricing. The enclosure is the largest single item.

What is the most expensive part of a bearded dragon setup?

The enclosure, by a clear margin - and it is also the item you cannot incrementally upgrade, which is why it is first on the list.

Can you set up a bearded dragon enclosure cheaply?

You can economize on the slab, the hides, the decor and by mixing your own substrate. You should not economize on the thermostat, the UVB replacement schedule, or the enclosure size.

Sources

  1. Bearded Dragon Terrarium Size Requirements — ReptiFiles
  2. Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements — ReptiFiles
  3. Bearded Dragon Substrate Options — ReptiFiles
  4. Electric Power Monthly - average retail price of electricity to residential customers — U.S. Energy Information Administration

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