UVB and lighting

Question
QUESTION: I don't actually have my bearded dragon yet but I want to make sure I have
the right lighting before I get it. I have a coil basking light but I don't know
what -.0 it is. It's repti glo and it only gets to 86 degrees. I have another light
it's an infrared night light and it gets up to like 96-98. I'm getting a juvenile so
I only have a 10 gallon tank, but I'll upgrade to 40 soon. I just need to know
if this lighting is okay and what I will need when I get a 40

ANSWER: Hello Holly,

Great you are asking questions before you get your bearded dragon.  
Unfortunately, the coil or compact lights are not very good.  They do not put out good quality wavelength of UVB emissions.  
What I recommend is the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube for a 10 gallon tank.  Use that in conjunction with a basking bulb.  The infrared light is not bright enough to stimulate active behavior or protect the eyes from the UVB exposure.
The basking light needs to be a bright white light such as a halogen light or a household lightbulb & should be mounted at one end of the tank right beside the UVB light.  The basking light needs to be around 95-105 & no higher than 110.  The cool end needs to run around 78-82 or so.  

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Your information is much appreciated. I'll have to take it up with the "specialists" that gave me the previous bulbs. However, I'm curious about how long each light you recomended should be on over the course of a day. Also, will the bulbs you recomended work for a 40 gallon tank as well?

Answer
Helo Holly,

The Reptisun 10 tube bulb, or the Arcadia D3 12% (available in the UK, Australia) but could order it online probably, need to be on for a 12 hour cycle, & the basking light should be on for a 12 hour cycle as well.  Then, they need a 12 hour dark or nighttime cycle for them to sleep well.  
Yes, the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb is fine for a 40 gallon tank.  It will need to be 6-8 inches from your dragon too for maximal exposure.
If your tank is tall enough you could use a mercury vapor bulb like the Megaray or the T-rex active UV heat.  They have to be 12 inches away if they are the 100 watt.

Tracie