homemade cage - lighting problems

[gadfly1]

Hello I am looking to purchase my new beardie in three weeks or so and I am trying to get my cage all set up. It is oak plywood with glass in front and on sides with a solid back and two vents. The top will be ventilated as well. It is 48 by 20 by 19 ish dimensions. I have a 150 watt capable lamp with ceramic base to put the basking light in and I am looking to get a 36 or 48 inch fluorescent UVB lamp. I am confused as to how far the bearded needs to be from this, the lady at the pet store says if he is closer than 18 inches to the UVB it may 'burn' him? But then I read every where else that he needs to be at least 12 inches from it or the UVB is not going to work...? Can I put the UVB tube inside the top of my eclosure or do I need to cut out a hole to have it sit on top of the mesh? PLEASE help clarify this. Also do you recommend regular incandescent bulbs for his basking spot and do I need a secondary heat source like a ceramic heat emitter to keep the enclosure warm enough or will the bulb from the basking spot do the trick?

I also have vinyl tile flooring used as substrate since I am getting a baby and I do not think sand will be good.

I am installing the glass this week and cutting holes for the lights and I will be using a thermometer and such to make sure I can keep it at the appropriate temp before I bring the lil guy home but I do not want to cut any holes unnecessarily..

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Claudiusx]

When using a reptisun 10.0 bulb, you want your dragon to be able to get withing 6-8 inches of it at his/her basking spot.

-Brandon

 

[gadfly1]

Thanks, immediately after posting I saw someones nice post for newbies about lighting which cleared things up a lot. Thanks so much!