70 Gallon heating/lighting suggestions

[Microcuts]

Hi guys
New to the forum and very excited to say I will be getting my first Bearded Dragon pet in a few weeks!
I am currently building my own tank out of a Toy chest we no longer use. It is roughly 70 gallon, and I have a few questions:

1.) Is it ok to mount the lights on the inside of the tank, or should I be putting them on top on a screen? Does it matter?
2.) Any idea what the rough wattage of my basking globe needs to be to heat appropriately for a tank this size?
3.) When using a thermostat, should I use it to regulate the warm end or the cold end?
4.) Will it be a problem to house a juvenile in a tank this size?

Thanks in advance. I have done a lot of browsing on the web regarding these questions but I come up with mixed answers. Hoping you guys can help!

 

[foolsgold]

1.) Is it ok to mount the lights on the inside of the tank, or should I be putting them on top on a screen? Does it matter?
Yes you can mount them inside the tank as long as there is enough room to get between 8-15 inches away from the UV bulb (depending on what kind of bulb you go with). Check the crossfire viv build (search for it, you'll find it easy) for ideas as to how to set it up.

2.) Any idea what the rough wattage of my basking globe needs to be to heat appropriately for a tank this size?
Get clear bulbs from your local big box store. You don't need anything fancy. I would get 3 a 50W, 75W and 100W and see what one you need. It really depends on the temp of your house and how vented your tank is so it really is a tank by tank thing.

3.) When using a thermostat, should I use it to regulate the warm end or the cold end?
Use it for the warm end on the basking light. The cool end should be fine as long as it doesn't drop below 65*F at night. If it DOES go lower then that then you need to get a ceramic heat emiter. You don't want a bulb that produces light (no matter the color) as it will disturb their sleep.

4.) Will it be a problem to house a juvenile in a tank this size?
I have my 4month old in a 75gal tank.

 

[Microcuts]

Fantastic reply, very informative.
Thanks very much!