Planning the cage build.

[whispersinmyhead]

I am planning a simple cage. Like many I am basing the design on the crossfire plan. I have a couple changes I know I want to make. Right now I am using a glass terrarium with too much ventilation. It is hard to keep the temps stable and high enough. Anyways here are some changes I want to make:
1) I want to use plywood and stain and seal it with polycrylic.
2) I want to make the top face plate to extend down a little more to hide the lights and wires a bit.
3) I want to grout in tiles permanently. Right now I am using loose dark tiles and I think I am going to a lighter tile in the new one. Easier cleanup when there are grouted in.

I do need a little advise on a couple things.
1) I am finding it hard to find a 36" t8 fluorescent fixture (will the t12 be ok with t8 reptisun?)
2) Is 2' high really too high. My adult really doesn't seem to want to climb too much and I am concerned he won't get close enough to the reptisun. I know the lights will hang down about 4"-6" so that will give me 16.5"-18.5" of space between the lights and the ground. I will need an 8"-10" basking log or branch. My beardie doesn't seem to that active in his current cage which has too much ventilation. He may be more active in this new cage so I don't know if the height is really going to be a problem. Maybe just lowering the height of the cage a few inches will help. Any thoughts are appreciated.
3) As for the heat fixture...is a ceramic fixture just as good as porcelain? Or can I use any outdoor fixtures?

Thanks for any thoughts or advise. Anything that has worked really well for you please share.