Confused by enclosure size and lighting

Hello,
My 12 yo son is now the proud owner of a beardie and we are trying to get the enclosure setup correct.
The beardie is about 6-7 inches long and we were told we should put him in a 10 gallon enclosure so that he could catch crickets more easily. But with this size I am finding setting up the lights and the hot/cold zones difficult. So I think we were misinformed on the size. We have a 40 gallon tank available, but will it will be too large?

Also I am finding information on the UVB lighting contradictory. Many say UVB CFB are harmful, but a stickied thread on this forum says that is old information. We have a CFB now from a Beardie kit but I want to upgrade (and return the kit) now that I know a little more. But are the CFBs bad or just not as good as the tube bulbs? Also fitting a tube hood on the 10 gallon enclosure covers the whole width and doesn't allow for the UVB free zone (except for a hide - which we were told is not needed - I don't believe that). I really want to resolve the lighting issue because in the first 2 days the beardie just sits in whatever spot his is placed without moving much. I think fixing the lighting will help.

My son was able to feed him 5 crickets today which is good and he had 2 BM the first day. He seems alert, just not as mobile as I would expect. Perhaps its just the "new home" stress.

Just want to get everything up and running and normal. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

A 10g tank is much too small. That can be used to house bugs (crickets,roaches etc). The 40g tank is good for now but you may want something larger when he is an adult. I would use the 40g and get a 22'' T5 UVB light and fixture. That should sit about 10-12'' above the main basking area, next to the basking light. The CFB lights are less effective due to their narrow output and the 13w versions that come with most kits aren't powerful enough to provide adequate UVB to a bearded dragon. It's much better in the long run to invest in a high quality UVB Light source from the start. This is what I use and it's excellent. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

Thanks CooperDragon.

Purchased a 22" T5 UVB yesterday and I see what you mean about narrow output of the CFB compared to the T5. BD (named Brad) perked up soon after I turned it on. Today much more active. Either the better UVB or less stressed or both.

We also put in a branch instead of a rock and he seems to enjoy that better. Perhaps raised with a branch or BD in general like trees over rocks.

What I've heard against a 40 gallon tank is that the BD will not be able to catch the crickets. Any truth to that? Today my son hobbled a few crickets and Brad was all over them.

Thanks again.

I'm sure he enjoys the new lighting. As far as rocks vs branches go, it's individual preference. Play around with things like that and see what he prefers over time. They are all a bit different. They are usually able to catch bugs in their tank without issue. Just be sure not to leave any after meal time. I find it easiest to release just a few at a time so they are easier for both of you to track.