What lighting for 40 gallon?

[GODZILLAthebeardie]

I have a 2 month old beardie housed in a 40 gallon. I purchased the starter kit from PetSmart but it only came with the coil uvb light and a 100watt heating bulb. Should I get a T5 or a T8 uvb light? Should I get rid of the coil or use both? I also am having trouble with keeping the temperature at 105 in the basking spot. I have a stick on thermometer. Any recommendations for a thermometer? I was thinking if I could put a heat lamp in the basking spot and a heat emitter bulb or would that be too hot? Help me if u can!

 

[HoomanSlave]

For a thermometer, I recommend these digital ones with probes: https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digi...0716&sprefix=digital+reptile+,aps,227&sr=8-15 (I get mine from a discount pet store for $8 each). Place on top of the branch basking spot and the other on the cool end. Invest in a digital hydrometer and place that in the center of the tank. Instead of thermometers, you could also just get this snazzy temp gun (also good for checking bath temps or if one of your thermometers breaks): https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Las...un&qid=1604451319&sprefix=temp,aps,269&sr=8-4
In order to control the temperature of the tank, you can try a lamp with a dimmer or a digital thermostat. Using a digital thermostat is important for your reptile's safety. This one can save your beardie's life if the temps get too high/too low: https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-RT-6...04450817&sprefix=reptitem,aps,232&sr=8-5&th=1

You should get rid of the coil. The coil does not give off enough UVB and the light is too bright, which can damage your beardie's eyes. It is best to just have a tube and a basking bulb. Make sure your UVB tube covers 3/4 of the tank. I personally prefer to use a T5 mounted inside the tank, but you could also use a T8 if you wanted to.
You don't really need a ceramic heat emitter unless your house gets below 65f at night or if you are having trouble maintaining high temps. A 100w basking bulb is adequate for a 40gal, so that shouldn't be an issue.

If you need a fixture for the UVB light, Sunblaster is my go-to brand. They sell a variety of fixture sizes that are all excellent quality.