My question is, how do those tanks with the built-in lighting/heat work? I am currently using a glass terrarium with a screen lid (above) for my baby, and I think it works quite well because I can just plop the lamps and uvb light on top, and I can also change the size or quantity of the lamps depending on what kind of reptile I'm housing. I am going to have to upgrade this tank soon, and I would really like to get a terrarium with sliding doors in front, but I am not sure how heating works in a tank with a solid top. Please educate me!
Don't know about anyone else but I have a home made vivarium for my Bearded Dragon and it works well with the lights inside the tank. Here's a picture! These pictures were taken a long time ago when I was still stupid and had sand in my tank, that is no longer!!
You could either make a tank or purchase one. One of the good stackable, front opening tanks that are commercially available are Vision tanks. Here is a pic of the Model #332 which is perfect for a beardie This is the description: Model #332 36" wide - 28" deep - 18" high $265.00 ea. Lighting: Optional Fluorescent Vent Heating: 6" Heat Dome (60W Max) and or Under Tank Heater Venting: 2 Rear Angle Vent (RA) Fed-Ex Ship-Able Heating works the same way - a UTH, a basking light, and UVA/UVB
You could get an enclosure with screen top and continue to heat from above as I do but with bearded dragons heat bulbs in the enclosure as long as they can not reach it are great like Luthien's great enclosure. I have snakes so can not heat from inside but either way there are plenty of enclosures with screen tops if you like screen tops and they hold heat much better than glass since pvc. http://animalplastics.com/ http://dragons4you.com/Cages.html (Screen not listed but he will put screen top if you ask him http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Pro-Series-Granite-Acrylic-Cages