Hi there,
I'm sorry I disappeared for awhile there (lots going on with Kaira and stuff).
How's the new enclosure going? Did you get anymore answers about the other questions you had?
Regular household bulbs do work in smaller tanks. I use a combination for heat depending on the time of year. I have a 75 gallon for Kaira (hopefully she'll get moved into the 125 gallon when she heals more from the surgery she had last month) and halogen flood lights are what I use as the main basking bulb (between a 50watt and 75watt is usually enough for the 75 gallon this time of year). I also have a smaller fixture that I have on and off, with a 40watt bright white/normal household bulb, depending on the chill in Kaira's room (it's her and the bugs/supplies for her and them now lol) that I will place in between the cool side and warmer/basking spot side if needed to raise general temps in her enclosure.
Most do say the UVB (of a tube, like the ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia) should not have a screen between them and the beardie (I can't do this at the moment and the tops of the larger tanks I have do not have as small of holes in the lids, so it's been *enough* for Kaira for years, but technically, I should have it open or the UVB in the tank itself). I'm not sure on the distance for the Arcadia, but if you use ReptiSun10.0, you'll want her to be able to get between 6 to 8" of the bulb.
I don't recommend the heat/basking bulbs in the cage, but some do. Just be sure she can't get close enough to jump on it...Kaira can jump surprisingly high so I don't trust her not to accidently hurt herself.
As for the length of the UVB (not odd at all, very good one to ask after using an MVB)...recently I just read another article on here (by Tracie- Drache613- who I highly recommend if you ever have complex health questions-her guidance has saved Kaira's life) on UVB lighting/lighting in general. The tube UVB lighting is recommend to be 3/4 length of the cage or at least 3/4 length of the cage (can't remember which way it was said). Though, I do have a UVB run the whole length of Kaira's tank, and haven't been told this is bad. So, 3/4 the length is good.
I'm not sure if she'll want a spot away from the UVB this time of year....Kaira's not the best comparison, but she's typically basking (even before the surgery/health issues) the majority of the day and only goes to the cool side a few times. Perhaps if you're girl burmates, she'd want that, but that's typically during the colder months.
Under counter light fixtures are great...my tank is too large, but I did use them before (as babies in smaller tanks).
Not sure if I explained my set-up before or not, but I have a 4ft fluorescent fixture I got at home depot or something that fits 2 tube bulbs. Kaira's in the 75gallon, as I said, and it is 4ft long, so she has one 48"/4ft long ReptiSun 10.0 bulb in that fixture and then a normal 48"/4ft long fluorescent tube bulb in the other spot on the double fixture. On the basking side I have a stand, and a 10" brooder light fixture (I think, I've had several types over the years) right over her basking spot, with the double fixture right beside it.
Does that help a little more with the lighting/UVB?
The Arcadia is supposed to be good, I only have experience with the ReptiSun 10.0 and 1 type of MVB (that I gave up on years ago, because there always seems to be a problem with them).
Did you reduce the waxies any? I do think that will be healthier long term, but she's fine
Abi