starting a new tank

[Sammy28]

Since i've started posting here, I've found out I really need a larger tank. So, I'm getting a 55gallon one! yay! I'm buying the things I need to set it up (i'm giving my lighting and stuff for the trade), and I figured i'd try to be smart and ask for advice on all specs of my beardies new home. (lots' a questions)

for that size of a tank what size of a lighting fixture should i get? should I put in on a stand or just sit it flat on the roof?
what watt should I have for the lightbulb? is it going to warm the entire tank the way I want it to?
i shouldn't have a red night-light (infrared) :? ?
what's a cheaper roof for the aquarium rather than buying the $25 one at the petstore?
cat-proof advice?
what sort of "furniture" should i get? (I'm worrying about closeness to the light and just simple fun for the dragon)
how do i "beardie-safe" natural rocks? should i use natural rocks?
What kind of substrate should i use? I use ground english walnut, but i heard that's bad.
What about real sand? and if I want that, where do I get it?
Water dish? (I have one in there now but I've only seen him drink twice in his life)
anything else??

 

[ErinMeetsMachine]

I have a 55 gallon tank and I use a 100w Powersun MVB that I place on the top of the screen. This MVB doesn't emit much heat so I team it with a 50w floodlight. The better MVB's that put off more heat are the Megaray and the T-rex. They fit into a clamp light and last for up to a year before needing to be replaced. The red bulbs tend to irritate the beardies eyes and also cause them to not sleep so well during the night. If you need extra heat at night, if your temps go below the mid- to low 60's you can invest in a ceramic heat emitter which gives off heat but no light.
As far as the roofing.. I don't know. I also have a cat so I just went out and did buy the $25 screen. Someone else might be able to give you different options.
For furniture I use drift wood that I find at beaches and bake them in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. As for rocks, ones that aren't too textured (where bacteria can get stuck in) are fine, just give them a good bleach bath and rinse until you no longer smell bleach on them. I also got a zoomed hamock that she is quickly outgrowing.
Yeah, that walnut isn't that great because your beardie can ingest it and cause impaction. I use 4x4 in slate tiles that I picked up in the clearance section at homedepot. Easily accessible for spot cleaning and they file down Spot's nails. You can also your repticarpet, indoor/outdoor carpet (no loops) or self-adhesive shelf liner without the holes.
If you use sand you should use the sifted play sand. But it's not highly recommended even though you have a 2 year old beardie. The impaction factor is still a risk.. not to mention it's kind of difficult keeping it clean and sanitary.
As long as you're giving him baths and/or misting him, he should be fine without a water dish. Most dragons don't drink out of a dish and will just sit in it, which is fine. I don't use one because I have enough humidity as it is and don't want to increase it at all.