Min 5’×2’×2′ (about 150 gal) Rec 6’×2’×2′ (about 180 gal)
60″×24″×24″ / 72″×24″×24″
21–24″ Adult
12+ months
Min 6’×2’×2′ (about 180 gal)
72″×24″×24″
Why these sizes? They follow VCA and WSU’s rule that the enclosure should be at least three times your dragon’s total length, with at least 16 inches of width (VCA). Adults of any length need at least a 4’×2’×2′ (RSPCA UK’s minimum). Standard 20-gallon tanks are only 12 to 13 inches wide, under VCA’s 16, so use one only briefly for a small baby. Ages are typical, so go by length if you can. Our full tank size guide explains more, including why gallons can mislead.
💡 Buy adult-sized early
A baby beardie can start in a large enclosure with extra hides, but WSU notes you may need to block off part of it at first to prevent stress. Skip the in-between tanks — buy at least 120 gal from day one (an adult over 16 inches will need 5 to 6 feet).
📐 Floor space matters most
Beardies need horizontal room, not height. A 4’×2′ footprint is the minimum for adults — don’t sacrifice length for height.
🌡️ Temperature gradient needs space
You need a 100–110°F basking surface and a 75–85°F cool side. In a small tank, the whole enclosure ends up one temperature.
🔆 UVB needs room to work
T5 HO UVB bulbs are 22–34″ long. You need a tank long enough to mount one properly over the basking zone.
const TANKS = {
g20: { gal:'20 gal', dim:'30″×12″×12″', label:'20 Gallon Long', pct:11 },
g40: { gal:'40 gal', dim:'36″×18″×16–18″', label:'40 Gallon Breeder', pct:22 },
g75: { gal:'75 gal', dim:'48″×18″×21″', label:'75 Gallon', pct:42 },
g120: { gal:'120 gal', dim:'48″×24″×24″', label:"4'×2'×2' (120 Gallon)", pct:67 },
g150: { gal:'150 gal', dim:'60″×24″×24″', label:"5'×2'×2' (about 150 Gallon)", pct:83 },
g180: { gal:'180 gal', dim:'72″×24″×24″', label:"6'×2'×2' (about 180 Gallon)", pct:100 }
};
const TIERS = [
{ max:10, min:'g20', rec:'g40', note:"VCA's minimum for young dragons is a 20-gallon tank, but standard 20-gallon tanks are only 12 to 13 inches wide, under VCA's 16, so use one only briefly for a small baby. A 40-gallon breeder lasts longer, or start in the adult 4'×2'×2' and block off part of it while your dragon is small." },
{ max:12, min:'g40', rec:'g120', note:"The tank should be at least three times your dragon's length (VCA, WSU), so a 40-gallon breeder fits up to 12 inches. Dragons this size grow fast; plan the move to a 4'×2'×2' within a couple of months." },
{ max:16, min:'g75', rec:'g120', note:"48 inches long fits a dragon up to 16 inches. If your dragon is an adult, a 4'×2'×2' is the minimum, and its extra 6 inches of width make it the better buy at any age." },
{ max:20, min:'g150', rec:'g180', note:"At least three times your dragon's length (VCA, WSU): 54 inches at 18 inches, 60 at 20. A 4'×2'×2' is only 48 inches long." },
{ max:99, min:'g180', rec:'g180', more:true, note:"At three times its length, a 24-inch dragon needs 72 inches. ReptiFiles' minimum for adults is 6'×2'×2'." }
];
const AGE_TIER = { hatchling:0, 'young-juvie':1, juvie:2 };
const JUVIE_NOTE = "48 inches long fits a dragon up to 16 inches, and a 4'×2'×2' adds 6 inches of width, so it's the better buy. At 6 months dragons run 11 to 18 inches (our growth chart). If yours is over 16 inches, use the length tab.";
const ADULT = { min:'g120', rec:'g180', note:"Adults run 16 to 24 inches. A 4'×2'×2' is the adult minimum and fits a dragon up to 16 inches; past that, the tank should be three times its length, up to 6 feet, so check the length tab." };
function tierFor(len){for(const t of TIERS){if(len<=t.max)return t;}return TIERS[TIERS.length-1];}
function build(t,note){const a=TANKS[t.min],b=TANKS[t.rec];return {min:a.gal,minDim:a.dim,minLabel:a.label,rec:b.gal+(t.more?'+':''),recDim:b.dim+(t.more?'+':''),recLabel:t.more?"6'×2'×2' or larger":b.label,note:note||t.note,minPct:a.pct,recPct:b.pct};}
function switchMode(mode){document.querySelectorAll('.calc-tab').forEach((t,i)=>t.classList.toggle('active',(mode==='age'&&i===0)||(mode==='length'&&i===1)));document.querySelectorAll('.calc-panel').forEach((p,i)=>p.classList.toggle('active',(mode==='age'&&i===0)||(mode==='length'&&i===1)));hideResults();}
function selectAge(el,key){document.querySelectorAll('.age-option').forEach(o=>o.classList.remove('selected'));el.classList.add('selected');if(key==='adult'){showResults(build(ADULT));return;}const t=TIERS[AGE_TIER[key]];showResults(build(t,key==='juvie'?JUVIE_NOTE:''));}
function updateLength(val){document.getElementById('length-display').innerHTML=val+' <span>inches</span>';const pct=((val-3)/(24-3))*100;document.getElementById('length-slider').style.setProperty('--pct',pct+'%');showResults(build(tierFor(+val)));}
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