45 reviews for Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Bearded Dragon Reptile Terrarium Kit, 20 Gallon
Rated 4 out of 5
ArcsAngel (verified owner)–
This tank is actually pretty good for baby bearded dragons. The sand isn’t really a good substrate to begin with with a baby unless you harden the sand. You can do that by adding water to it and letting it sit for 24 hours under the lights. Otherwise the sand will get a little hot for them and they’ll splash water and it just makes a mess. I would also put news paper or paper towel down while he’s a baby.
My beardie enjoys the food that comes in it as well. I also find the top to be convenient for him.
However, it is kind of small if you want to put a lot in his tank. I’m only able to fit a basking rock, his water and food bowl, and a tree stump for a hiding hole that he doesn’t use but rather climbs on.
It wouldn’t be good for a full grown bearded dragon though it is good for a baby and he’ll grow out of it within about a year so plan a upgrade. However, this is a good learning tank for new beginners.
Rated 1 out of 5
Devaw (verified owner)–
This is not a suitable size for a bearded dragon. We bought a baby bearded dragon and in four months he’s completely outgrown this cage. What a waste! Save your money and get a 40 gallon from the get-go!
Rated 3 out of 5
scott20 (verified owner)–
has alot in the kit.. im new to this with the bearded dragons.. but knowing the exact lighting situation and timing needs to be better explained for someone that has never owned reptiles before. cant use the sand it is useless have to buy carpet and accessories separate
Rated 3 out of 5
QJoe (verified owner)–
Part of buying this tank is my fault because I didn’t do enough research on bearded dragons that I should of before buying this kit. The store employees have minimum knowledge unless they have owned a BD themselves. After doing more research, I learned that a 20 gallon tank is a waste of money and I should of gotten the 40 gallon kit instead. Also, most of the items in the kit is a waste. Can’t use the sand, our baby doesn’t like the dry food samples, and the red light is a big no no so we don’t use it either. If your going to buy the kit start with the 40 gallon not the 20 gallon, waste of money since they grow pretty fast.
Rated 1 out of 5
sav1026 (verified owner)–
I bought this cage about two weeks abou and when I walked in my room yesterday, I noticed it smelled like the smoke. The mesh had broke and both lamps fell inside the cage almost harming my lizard and catching a fire. Would NOT recommend because I’m luckily my lizard didn’t get hurt. Terrible craftsmanship.
Rated 4 out of 5
EKToast (verified owner)–
Bought this kit mainly to replace my leopard geckos old tank. She has way more room to explore, and I could fit 2 extra hides in it for her. The only thing Ill be using out of this kit other than the tank is the lights to help with the ambient tank temp, and the calcium that comes in the kit. Sand is NOT recommended unless you remove your lizard from the tank to feed it, sand will cause impaction and could possibly kill your pet. Only issue I had with this tank was a small hole in the mesh top, so make sure you check the mesh screen before you purchase.
Rated 1 out of 5
Mel91 (verified owner)–
Purchased this tank to house my bearded dragon for a short time. I had it for a week and the screen started to break while the lamps were sitting on top. It could it broke and landed on my baby bearded dragon. I dont recommend at all
Rated 1 out of 5
Dan R (verified owner)–
Seems like a good deal at first, but almost every piece of this kit will need to be replaced. Aside from the fact that an adult bearded dragon should really have a 40 gallon tank, the substrate is unnecessary (and smells bad), the UV light isn’t strong enough, and the infrared light is unnecessary as well. Even the calcium powder doesn’t have D3 which would be pretty essential.
You’d be better off buying everything individually, and then you’d save enough money for decorations for the tank.
Rated 5 out of 5
Angel (verified owner)–
Exactly what you’d need to start out with. No complaints at all with this product.
Rated 5 out of 5
Beginner2254 (verified owner)–
Happy with purchase good value Breardie seems happy but will have to upgrade to a 40 in a couple of months
How About A Coupon there ZOO MED
Rated 4 out of 5
BeardedMom (verified owner)–
This is an amazing starter set. Just needs smaller wattage red light for night time due to it emitting too much heat and too much light that my poor beardie could not sleep until we replaced the night light bulb. Small issue but does need to be changed for animals health and such.
Rated 2 out of 5
Picasso Dragon (verified owner)–
This is NOT an appropriate tank. The lighting was warm enough. I had to buy a brand new florecent light that was the correct one for a 40g tank. I had to replace the screen on top within 30 days. Everything went wrong. The only thing it was good for…… it enclosed my poor dragon until I could make everything right!!!! DONT spend your money
Rated 2 out of 5
Andrewmo (verified owner)–
Unfortunately beyond the enclosure nothing else is really of use. The food/water bowls take up too much space, the infrared bulb shouldn’t be used as it keeps the beardies up at night. The coil UVB bulb does not produce enough UVB and can irritate your beardies eyes. The included sand is an obvious no no. A good brand but a poorly assembled kit, I was disappointed that I basically had to build a proper setup from scratch. Best to pick up items separately.
Rated 4 out of 5
Jacob20 (verified owner)–
I bought this product 3 weeks ago, everything works well except the thermometer.
Rated 1 out of 5
NovaAndAshley (verified owner)–
Waste of money. Whoever created this just closed their eyes when researching bearded dragons. This is the opposite of proper husbandry. This is one of those “wow pet suppliers only care about money” moments.
Rated 1 out of 5
Buttercup86 (verified owner)–
I bought this chick thinking that I would save money buying it as a kit.the more knowledge that I got on bearded dragons is that most of the stuff within this kit is completely inappropriate and not safe for bearded dragons.which is very scary due to the fact that there’s a big bearded dragon all over this item it is being advertised for bearded dragons but completely inappropriate for bearded dragons. And be careful buying reptiles from petsupplycanada and do your research and watch some videos please as to where petsupplycanada reptiles come from only due to the fact that me and multiple people that I have talked to have health issues with our dragons which come from petsupplycanada. Do your research first and definitely get a different light the lighting is definitely going to be key with a bearded dragon and just do a lot of your research before you get one that’s my suggestion good luck
Rated 4 out of 5
Not aplicable (verified owner)–
I did the math it’s not 20 gallons. 30″ 12″ 12″ is 18.7 gallons not 20 gallons.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ethandagreat23323 (verified owner)–
I bought this for a bearded dragon and I was so happy I did!
Rated 3 out of 5
TurtleB (verified owner)–
For how much I spent on this kit everything should have worked. Everything else was great expect the pump. The tank gets dirty within 2-3 days. If you buy this kit, I would recommend that you would have to upgrade your pump.
Rated 3 out of 5
Scratch master lizard (verified owner)–
Light bulbs burned out in a week. Had to buy more lights and other items. The products in the kit are the cheapest products you can find.
Rated 5 out of 5
Brandy87 (verified owner)–
This is a great starter tank for a newbie. It has everything that you need except I would substitute the sand for reptile carpet.
Rated 1 out of 5
baggedmilk (verified owner)–
after buying this kit we realized that nothing about it works for a bearded dragon. we now need to buy all new heat lamps/uvb lights (the ones that come with this kit are not good) you are better off buying a tank and the the lighting and heat lamps all separate
Rated 5 out of 5
burlingj (verified owner)–
I bought this for my daughter birthday present and bought a bread dragon
Rated 5 out of 5
Chad314 (verified owner)–
I don’t know where to begin with all the problems with this kit. I guess we’ll start with the enclosure itself. This is far too small for anything but a baby dragon. The problem is is your baby is going to outgrow this in a couple of months… if that long. I recommend buying a full-sized enclosure that your baby will grow into! From here, we can move on to the lighting. Those little coiled bulbs are completely worthless. I have seen several baby dragons develop Metabolic Bone Disease because of these types of lights. This disease disfigures, cripples, is painful and very fatal. Coiled bulbs put out very little light and it doesn’t go very far from the bulb itself. You need a long linear tube light (2/3 the length of the enclosure- the exact type depends on distance and if a screen is between the light and dragon- positioned mostly over the basking spot)… The lights are also known to blow quickly… Thermometers should be digital, preferably with a sensor- 1 for the warm side and one for the cool side. An infrared remote thermometer should be used to check the surface temp of the basking spot. The substrate (sand) should not be used for a baby dragon! This stuff is well known for causing impactions in babies… You’re better off using nonadhesive padded shelf liner for a baby. ‘Carpets’ aren’t recommended either, as nails get caught and ripped out and holds bacteria. Basically, this kit promotes horrible husbandry! I recommend researching about dragons further and correct husbandry before you consider this kit. Obviously, if corporate is promoting this, you can’t trust the people in the stores. They are pushed to sell these items. I’ve seen people buy baby dragons and told them in front of sales people that it’s the incorrect items… They aren’t happy when they see how much more the correct items are, but if you want a happy healthy dragon, you will be willing to pay more. Also, if you get a baby from one of these chain pet stores, I highly recommend going to a veterinarian immediately for a checkup. Babies from these places come from what’s the equivalent of a puppy mill. Many of these babies have coccidia in the beginnings of Metabolic Bone Disease already… Not always, but it is a large problem from these pet stores. I highly recommend researching what I have put here if you have any doubts. I really don’t know what sort of veterinarians that they have on staff that okays the items that they sell, but I’m willing to bet that they were at the bottom of their graduating class unlikely know very little about exotics… Either that, or the CEOs completely disregard what they say in an attempt to make more money…
Rated 2 out of 5
Doganbeardiemomma (verified owner)–
I just bought this Jan 3rd 2022, mine came with everything but the hood light. It’s not even a week and the heat light that came with it burned the little feed opening, so I moved it further back and it burned the corner part. For a reptile aquarium needing hot lights it should not have plastic on top to melt. If the cardboard it came in didn’t get pick up by trash pick up I would return it. Had to go buy another home for my 2 babies.
Rated 2 out of 5
JesK (verified owner)–
While the actual terrarium is sturdy and secure, the uvb light and heat light both stopped working within three weeks of use. The lamp does not come with a stand, so it needs to be purchased separately. The size of the tank (20 gallon) is only good for baby bearded dragons, yet this comes with sand substrate which is not something to safely use with little bearded dragons as if digested, it could cause serious issues. So additional safe substrate needs to be purchased. The food bowl and dish are also too large for this tank size once you add in a place to bask, climb and/or hide (not included in the set.)
Rated 5 out of 5
Kay13 (verified owner)–
the tank is great for a baby bearded dragon! mine loved the food in it as well! when i bought mine they offered to switch out the sand for carpet for free! all you have to do is ask them and they said most plcaes will let you swap because they do understand sand is no good for them!
Rated 4 out of 5
JollyH (verified owner)–
We bought this for our baby bearded dragon a month ago and he still loves it. For the price, the starter is worth it. I do recommend doing your research. We learned that the sand included is not the best substrate for the tank, so we added some wood chips on top of it. Otherwise, the tank and kit are perfect for beginners.
Rated 1 out of 5
BeardieLuvr (verified owner)–
Loose substrate of any kind is not recommended for any age, especially young dragons. The compact uvb does not provide an adequate amount of uvb output for beardies. They require the tube style that spans at least 2/3 the length of their enclosure. They also require the 10.0, the 5.0 is for tropical reptiles. Colored lights of any kind are harmful to a beardies eyes. For night time you’d use a ceramic heat emitter. It provides heat with no light. Beardies are diurnal and should have their lights on a schedule of 12 hours on and 12 hours off. As for the basking bulb, 100 watts is too strong for a 20 gal setup. Recommended would be 50 watts. Analog gauges are notoriously inaccurate. They have very specific temp and humidity requirements. Digital is the best way to go. The only thing usable in this “kit” would be the tank itself and only for a short time. The beardie will outgrow it quickly. Bearded dragons should never be fed any type of commercial diet. They should always be fed fresh fruits and veggies and live bugs. Pet stores are also notorious for giving very false info on bearded dragon care. I very highly recommend joining a newbie or any bearded dragon group on fb for help and info on proper care.
Rated 1 out of 5
Zachp96 (verified owner)–
Bought it 2 days ago. Came home today to find the whole top screen ripped right out of the seam with the rubber strip and all. The whole tank is very poorly made
Rated 2 out of 5
ArmyGJ89 (verified owner)–
Ok tank for a baby bearded dragon. Way too small for bigger dragons. Got this as a starter tank but quickly upgraded to the large exo terra terrarium! this kit includes the bad vita sand. Not worth the price. Might as well go for the exo terra or the 40 G of the same brand. Also, the lid is very annoying because everytime you wanna feed or take out your pet, you have to take everything off, lamps, etc.
Rated 3 out of 5
Lyzyrdsyknyrdsmom (verified owner)–
I came in because my lizards needed some bulbs and got upsold this. well this has a red light (not black light) for sleeping and it kept my lizard awake for 2 nights I ended up having to get another purple bulb somewhere else so they could sleep. It is frustrating because the red bulb box says they won’t mess with your lizards ability to sleep that they can’t see the light, and it’s a big fat lie. Make sure to do research outside of the aisles don’t make your lizards mad.
Rated 2 out of 5
stvoss (verified owner)–
It’s a good sized tank for juvenile bearded dragons but the accessories are not usable for the intended application. I addition to some of the points mentioned in some of the other low-rated reviews, the basking light doesn’t produce enough heat and you don’t really need the red bulb at all. The UVB light that is included is better suited for tropical reptiles, not desert dwellers so this kit should definitely NOT be labeled for bearded dragons. The substrate isn’t suitable for young beardies either. Do research and purchase separate items because you and your dragon will be better off in the long run. One would think a reputable company like Zoo Med would be capable of providing an adequate kit instead of filling a box with a lot of items that will adversely effect your pet’s health.adversely. It’s cruel to both the pet and the owner.
Rated 1 out of 5
VLBella (verified owner)–
This tank is way to small for a full grown bearded dragon!!!!
Rated 3 out of 5
DrasticDrag (verified owner)–
I got this a 3 years ago and a beard with it and it was ok I didn’t use the sand but the lid easily broke for me and I need a new one bad rn cause I’m going to re use the enclosure for my ball python for a little while
Rated 3 out of 5
Alan G (verified owner)–
I bought this product 2 weeks ago, and everything is perfect, except that it did not include the thermometer that the box says.
Rated 1 out of 5
OW29 (verified owner)–
The main issue here is the Vita-Sand. This is by far the worst substrate of all time. It is sand, which is not okay for almost all reptiles, and it is made out of vitamins, which is encouraging the reptiles to eat it and get their stomachs and thoughts clogged up. Other than that, the lighting is not the best and you get minimal decor. Just buy the enclosure and supplies that you need separately. Also, this is way too small. This could work for a baby, I guess. For a full-grown Beardie, get s 4x2x2 Zenhabitats or custom reptile habitats enclosure. Also, get a better light and use tile as the substrate. Just don’t buy reptile kits.
Rated 5 out of 5
BROOKLY 499 (verified owner)–
THIS IS AMAZING FOR BABY DRAGONS [PLEASE DO NOT USE SAND IT IS NOT DEADLY BUT IF YOU BABY DRAGON KEEPS EATING IT THEY COULD DIE
Rated 1 out of 5
dragon42345 (verified owner)–
Way to small for an adult bearded dragon! They need at least 40 gallons.
Rated 3 out of 5
Modoc (verified owner)–
This is a nice set up but I agree with the other review.
You can’t and should’t use the sand for a young bearded dragon, you will have to buy different and more practical lighting and they will out grow this VERY quickly.
Rated 3 out of 5
Max243 (verified owner)–
So sand is not good for beaderd dragons because they will eat it when you give them crickets and it will clog the system
Rated 5 out of 5
mike the meme daddy (verified owner)–
Wasn’t aware so many bearded dragon experts existed until i looked at these reviews. Lol. The tank is huge & if you think you need anything bigger for a little bearded dragon you probably have a different type of reptile. The sand you should put to the side & use a different type of substrate until at least a year because it may cause impaction. After a year my bearded dragon was crapping so much that it was impossible to keep the tank clean for longer than a day. My little girl would make the whole living room stink up with her bombs. So i finally changed up the substrate to sand after a little over a year & she still drops bombs with no problem. Only difference is no more smell & easy clean up with a scooper. Also make sure those vents on your beardie are clean with regular baths. Top mesh will NOT support weight of a cat as i found out with my annoying fur ball that decided one day to hop up there & crashed through the screen.
Rated 2 out of 5
Petlover87 (verified owner)–
I bought it yesterday just got it today love the fact that it came with everything I needed but back glass was crack when I got it
Rated 5 out of 5
Guest1234567124 (verified owner)–
This is better for a leopard gecko that a bearded dragon. This would be too small for a bearded dragon. If you get this for a dragon you will have to get a new one soon.
Rated 1 out of 5
RaeH (verified owner)–
The major components are not designed to be used together (at least not in the south) or are not recommended for juvenile beardies. If you buy this kit, you’ll also need a substrate that is designed not to kill your baby. The 100w bulbs are a bit much for a 20 gallon tank (ambient air temps around 120F). Not enough uv output. Save your $, do some research, and buy what is right for your beardie in your climate.
ArcsAngel (verified owner) –
This tank is actually pretty good for baby bearded dragons. The sand isn’t really a good substrate to begin with with a baby unless you harden the sand. You can do that by adding water to it and letting it sit for 24 hours under the lights. Otherwise the sand will get a little hot for them and they’ll splash water and it just makes a mess. I would also put news paper or paper towel down while he’s a baby.
My beardie enjoys the food that comes in it as well. I also find the top to be convenient for him.
However, it is kind of small if you want to put a lot in his tank. I’m only able to fit a basking rock, his water and food bowl, and a tree stump for a hiding hole that he doesn’t use but rather climbs on.
It wouldn’t be good for a full grown bearded dragon though it is good for a baby and he’ll grow out of it within about a year so plan a upgrade. However, this is a good learning tank for new beginners.
Devaw (verified owner) –
This is not a suitable size for a bearded dragon. We bought a baby bearded dragon and in four months he’s completely outgrown this cage. What a waste! Save your money and get a 40 gallon from the get-go!
scott20 (verified owner) –
has alot in the kit.. im new to this with the bearded dragons.. but knowing the exact lighting situation and timing needs to be better explained for someone that has never owned reptiles before. cant use the sand it is useless have to buy carpet and accessories separate
QJoe (verified owner) –
Part of buying this tank is my fault because I didn’t do enough research on bearded dragons that I should of before buying this kit. The store employees have minimum knowledge unless they have owned a BD themselves. After doing more research, I learned that a 20 gallon tank is a waste of money and I should of gotten the 40 gallon kit instead. Also, most of the items in the kit is a waste. Can’t use the sand, our baby doesn’t like the dry food samples, and the red light is a big no no so we don’t use it either. If your going to buy the kit start with the 40 gallon not the 20 gallon, waste of money since they grow pretty fast.
sav1026 (verified owner) –
I bought this cage about two weeks abou and when I walked in my room yesterday, I noticed it smelled like the smoke. The mesh had broke and both lamps fell inside the cage almost harming my lizard and catching a fire. Would NOT recommend because I’m luckily my lizard didn’t get hurt. Terrible craftsmanship.
EKToast (verified owner) –
Bought this kit mainly to replace my leopard geckos old tank. She has way more room to explore, and I could fit 2 extra hides in it for her. The only thing Ill be using out of this kit other than the tank is the lights to help with the ambient tank temp, and the calcium that comes in the kit. Sand is NOT recommended unless you remove your lizard from the tank to feed it, sand will cause impaction and could possibly kill your pet. Only issue I had with this tank was a small hole in the mesh top, so make sure you check the mesh screen before you purchase.
Mel91 (verified owner) –
Purchased this tank to house my bearded dragon for a short time. I had it for a week and the screen started to break while the lamps were sitting on top. It could it broke and landed on my baby bearded dragon. I dont recommend at all
Dan R (verified owner) –
Seems like a good deal at first, but almost every piece of this kit will need to be replaced. Aside from the fact that an adult bearded dragon should really have a 40 gallon tank, the substrate is unnecessary (and smells bad), the UV light isn’t strong enough, and the infrared light is unnecessary as well. Even the calcium powder doesn’t have D3 which would be pretty essential.
You’d be better off buying everything individually, and then you’d save enough money for decorations for the tank.
Angel (verified owner) –
Exactly what you’d need to start out with. No complaints at all with this product.
Beginner2254 (verified owner) –
Happy with purchase good value Breardie seems happy but will have to upgrade to a 40 in a couple of months
How About A Coupon there ZOO MED
BeardedMom (verified owner) –
This is an amazing starter set. Just needs smaller wattage red light for night time due to it emitting too much heat and too much light that my poor beardie could not sleep until we replaced the night light bulb. Small issue but does need to be changed for animals health and such.
Picasso Dragon (verified owner) –
This is NOT an appropriate tank. The lighting was warm enough. I had to buy a brand new florecent light that was the correct one for a 40g tank. I had to replace the screen on top within 30 days. Everything went wrong. The only thing it was good for…… it enclosed my poor dragon until I could make everything right!!!! DONT spend your money
Andrewmo (verified owner) –
Unfortunately beyond the enclosure nothing else is really of use. The food/water bowls take up too much space, the infrared bulb shouldn’t be used as it keeps the beardies up at night. The coil UVB bulb does not produce enough UVB and can irritate your beardies eyes. The included sand is an obvious no no. A good brand but a poorly assembled kit, I was disappointed that I basically had to build a proper setup from scratch. Best to pick up items separately.
Jacob20 (verified owner) –
I bought this product 3 weeks ago, everything works well except the thermometer.
NovaAndAshley (verified owner) –
Waste of money. Whoever created this just closed their eyes when researching bearded dragons. This is the opposite of proper husbandry. This is one of those “wow pet suppliers only care about money” moments.
Buttercup86 (verified owner) –
I bought this chick thinking that I would save money buying it as a kit.the more knowledge that I got on bearded dragons is that most of the stuff within this kit is completely inappropriate and not safe for bearded dragons.which is very scary due to the fact that there’s a big bearded dragon all over this item it is being advertised for bearded dragons but completely inappropriate for bearded dragons. And be careful buying reptiles from petsupplycanada and do your research and watch some videos please as to where petsupplycanada reptiles come from only due to the fact that me and multiple people that I have talked to have health issues with our dragons which come from petsupplycanada. Do your research first and definitely get a different light the lighting is definitely going to be key with a bearded dragon and just do a lot of your research before you get one that’s my suggestion good luck
Not aplicable (verified owner) –
I did the math it’s not 20 gallons. 30″ 12″ 12″ is 18.7 gallons not 20 gallons.
Ethandagreat23323 (verified owner) –
I bought this for a bearded dragon and I was so happy I did!
TurtleB (verified owner) –
For how much I spent on this kit everything should have worked. Everything else was great expect the pump. The tank gets dirty within 2-3 days. If you buy this kit, I would recommend that you would have to upgrade your pump.
Scratch master lizard (verified owner) –
Light bulbs burned out in a week. Had to buy more lights and other items. The products in the kit are the cheapest products you can find.
Brandy87 (verified owner) –
This is a great starter tank for a newbie. It has everything that you need except I would substitute the sand for reptile carpet.
baggedmilk (verified owner) –
after buying this kit we realized that nothing about it works for a bearded dragon. we now need to buy all new heat lamps/uvb lights (the ones that come with this kit are not good) you are better off buying a tank and the the lighting and heat lamps all separate
burlingj (verified owner) –
I bought this for my daughter birthday present and bought a bread dragon
Chad314 (verified owner) –
I don’t know where to begin with all the problems with this kit. I guess we’ll start with the enclosure itself. This is far too small for anything but a baby dragon. The problem is is your baby is going to outgrow this in a couple of months… if that long. I recommend buying a full-sized enclosure that your baby will grow into! From here, we can move on to the lighting. Those little coiled bulbs are completely worthless. I have seen several baby dragons develop Metabolic Bone Disease because of these types of lights. This disease disfigures, cripples, is painful and very fatal. Coiled bulbs put out very little light and it doesn’t go very far from the bulb itself. You need a long linear tube light (2/3 the length of the enclosure- the exact type depends on distance and if a screen is between the light and dragon- positioned mostly over the basking spot)… The lights are also known to blow quickly… Thermometers should be digital, preferably with a sensor- 1 for the warm side and one for the cool side. An infrared remote thermometer should be used to check the surface temp of the basking spot. The substrate (sand) should not be used for a baby dragon! This stuff is well known for causing impactions in babies… You’re better off using nonadhesive padded shelf liner for a baby. ‘Carpets’ aren’t recommended either, as nails get caught and ripped out and holds bacteria. Basically, this kit promotes horrible husbandry! I recommend researching about dragons further and correct husbandry before you consider this kit. Obviously, if corporate is promoting this, you can’t trust the people in the stores. They are pushed to sell these items. I’ve seen people buy baby dragons and told them in front of sales people that it’s the incorrect items… They aren’t happy when they see how much more the correct items are, but if you want a happy healthy dragon, you will be willing to pay more. Also, if you get a baby from one of these chain pet stores, I highly recommend going to a veterinarian immediately for a checkup. Babies from these places come from what’s the equivalent of a puppy mill. Many of these babies have coccidia in the beginnings of Metabolic Bone Disease already… Not always, but it is a large problem from these pet stores. I highly recommend researching what I have put here if you have any doubts. I really don’t know what sort of veterinarians that they have on staff that okays the items that they sell, but I’m willing to bet that they were at the bottom of their graduating class unlikely know very little about exotics… Either that, or the CEOs completely disregard what they say in an attempt to make more money…
Doganbeardiemomma (verified owner) –
I just bought this Jan 3rd 2022, mine came with everything but the hood light. It’s not even a week and the heat light that came with it burned the little feed opening, so I moved it further back and it burned the corner part. For a reptile aquarium needing hot lights it should not have plastic on top to melt. If the cardboard it came in didn’t get pick up by trash pick up I would return it. Had to go buy another home for my 2 babies.
JesK (verified owner) –
While the actual terrarium is sturdy and secure, the uvb light and heat light both stopped working within three weeks of use. The lamp does not come with a stand, so it needs to be purchased separately. The size of the tank (20 gallon) is only good for baby bearded dragons, yet this comes with sand substrate which is not something to safely use with little bearded dragons as if digested, it could cause serious issues. So additional safe substrate needs to be purchased. The food bowl and dish are also too large for this tank size once you add in a place to bask, climb and/or hide (not included in the set.)
Kay13 (verified owner) –
the tank is great for a baby bearded dragon! mine loved the food in it as well! when i bought mine they offered to switch out the sand for carpet for free! all you have to do is ask them and they said most plcaes will let you swap because they do understand sand is no good for them!
JollyH (verified owner) –
We bought this for our baby bearded dragon a month ago and he still loves it. For the price, the starter is worth it. I do recommend doing your research. We learned that the sand included is not the best substrate for the tank, so we added some wood chips on top of it. Otherwise, the tank and kit are perfect for beginners.
BeardieLuvr (verified owner) –
Loose substrate of any kind is not recommended for any age, especially young dragons. The compact uvb does not provide an adequate amount of uvb output for beardies. They require the tube style that spans at least 2/3 the length of their enclosure. They also require the 10.0, the 5.0 is for tropical reptiles. Colored lights of any kind are harmful to a beardies eyes. For night time you’d use a ceramic heat emitter. It provides heat with no light. Beardies are diurnal and should have their lights on a schedule of 12 hours on and 12 hours off. As for the basking bulb, 100 watts is too strong for a 20 gal setup. Recommended would be 50 watts. Analog gauges are notoriously inaccurate. They have very specific temp and humidity requirements. Digital is the best way to go. The only thing usable in this “kit” would be the tank itself and only for a short time. The beardie will outgrow it quickly. Bearded dragons should never be fed any type of commercial diet. They should always be fed fresh fruits and veggies and live bugs. Pet stores are also notorious for giving very false info on bearded dragon care. I very highly recommend joining a newbie or any bearded dragon group on fb for help and info on proper care.
Zachp96 (verified owner) –
Bought it 2 days ago. Came home today to find the whole top screen ripped right out of the seam with the rubber strip and all. The whole tank is very poorly made
ArmyGJ89 (verified owner) –
Ok tank for a baby bearded dragon. Way too small for bigger dragons. Got this as a starter tank but quickly upgraded to the large exo terra terrarium! this kit includes the bad vita sand. Not worth the price. Might as well go for the exo terra or the 40 G of the same brand. Also, the lid is very annoying because everytime you wanna feed or take out your pet, you have to take everything off, lamps, etc.
Lyzyrdsyknyrdsmom (verified owner) –
I came in because my lizards needed some bulbs and got upsold this. well this has a red light (not black light) for sleeping and it kept my lizard awake for 2 nights I ended up having to get another purple bulb somewhere else so they could sleep. It is frustrating because the red bulb box says they won’t mess with your lizards ability to sleep that they can’t see the light, and it’s a big fat lie. Make sure to do research outside of the aisles don’t make your lizards mad.
stvoss (verified owner) –
It’s a good sized tank for juvenile bearded dragons but the accessories are not usable for the intended application. I addition to some of the points mentioned in some of the other low-rated reviews, the basking light doesn’t produce enough heat and you don’t really need the red bulb at all. The UVB light that is included is better suited for tropical reptiles, not desert dwellers so this kit should definitely NOT be labeled for bearded dragons. The substrate isn’t suitable for young beardies either. Do research and purchase separate items because you and your dragon will be better off in the long run. One would think a reputable company like Zoo Med would be capable of providing an adequate kit instead of filling a box with a lot of items that will adversely effect your pet’s health.adversely. It’s cruel to both the pet and the owner.
VLBella (verified owner) –
This tank is way to small for a full grown bearded dragon!!!!
DrasticDrag (verified owner) –
I got this a 3 years ago and a beard with it and it was ok I didn’t use the sand but the lid easily broke for me and I need a new one bad rn cause I’m going to re use the enclosure for my ball python for a little while
Alan G (verified owner) –
I bought this product 2 weeks ago, and everything is perfect, except that it did not include the thermometer that the box says.
OW29 (verified owner) –
The main issue here is the Vita-Sand. This is by far the worst substrate of all time. It is sand, which is not okay for almost all reptiles, and it is made out of vitamins, which is encouraging the reptiles to eat it and get their stomachs and thoughts clogged up. Other than that, the lighting is not the best and you get minimal decor. Just buy the enclosure and supplies that you need separately. Also, this is way too small. This could work for a baby, I guess. For a full-grown Beardie, get s 4x2x2 Zenhabitats or custom reptile habitats enclosure. Also, get a better light and use tile as the substrate. Just don’t buy reptile kits.
BROOKLY 499 (verified owner) –
THIS IS AMAZING FOR BABY DRAGONS [PLEASE DO NOT USE SAND IT IS NOT DEADLY BUT IF YOU BABY DRAGON KEEPS EATING IT THEY COULD DIE
dragon42345 (verified owner) –
Way to small for an adult bearded dragon! They need at least 40 gallons.
Modoc (verified owner) –
This is a nice set up but I agree with the other review.
You can’t and should’t use the sand for a young bearded dragon, you will have to buy different and more practical lighting and they will out grow this VERY quickly.
Max243 (verified owner) –
So sand is not good for beaderd dragons because they will eat it when you give them crickets and it will clog the system
mike the meme daddy (verified owner) –
Wasn’t aware so many bearded dragon experts existed until i looked at these reviews. Lol. The tank is huge & if you think you need anything bigger for a little bearded dragon you probably have a different type of reptile. The sand you should put to the side & use a different type of substrate until at least a year because it may cause impaction. After a year my bearded dragon was crapping so much that it was impossible to keep the tank clean for longer than a day. My little girl would make the whole living room stink up with her bombs. So i finally changed up the substrate to sand after a little over a year & she still drops bombs with no problem. Only difference is no more smell & easy clean up with a scooper. Also make sure those vents on your beardie are clean with regular baths. Top mesh will NOT support weight of a cat as i found out with my annoying fur ball that decided one day to hop up there & crashed through the screen.
Petlover87 (verified owner) –
I bought it yesterday just got it today love the fact that it came with everything I needed but back glass was crack when I got it
Guest1234567124 (verified owner) –
This is better for a leopard gecko that a bearded dragon. This would be too small for a bearded dragon. If you get this for a dragon you will have to get a new one soon.
RaeH (verified owner) –
The major components are not designed to be used together (at least not in the south) or are not recommended for juvenile beardies. If you buy this kit, you’ll also need a substrate that is designed not to kill your baby. The 100w bulbs are a bit much for a 20 gallon tank (ambient air temps around 120F). Not enough uv output. Save your $, do some research, and buy what is right for your beardie in your climate.