my larger adult bearded cages have the 24 inch fixtures, and the reason I did this size is just the same reason you are. It will go over a 20 long perfectly, and when your beardie gets big enough you can put it over or in (whichever way you mount it) the cage. I do replace the bulbs every six months, and during the summer they really do not need it since they get 3 to 5 days a week outdoors depending on temps and weather. Oh forgot to add i use the 5.0 instead of the 10.0 since its literally mounted 10 inches above the basking rock & log.