substrate?

[Funky#2]

You cannot put an MVB bulb within 6-8 inches of a reptile. It's too much heat and way too much UVB exposure. Would likely cause retinal damage. MVB bulbs need to be at least 12" or more away, I believe it's more like 16"-18", but I could be wrong.

www.reptileuv.com
This website sells MVB bulbs for around $45 and they last a very long time.

If you want to use a fluorescent, Beardies need to be able to get at the most, 12" from it, preferably 6-8" for best exposure. You NEED to use a 10.0 bulb. The others are junk and will not have a useful UVB output, at least for Bearded Dragon needs.

I'm using a combo of a Zoomed 10.0 fluorescent and a Phillips 75W truecolor bulb for heat. Basking spot gets to 115 easily and the UVB light is within 12" of the Beardie.

As you have it set up now, your lizard isn't getting any useful UVB exposure except when he goes to the basking platform. Get a MVB bulb or a shorter tank(and a 10.0 fluorescent). 5.0s and 7.0s should be left for the non-desert dwelling critters.

Well he is literally up there all day except when we feed him.

I went to the site you suggested and they had an article about a "problem with some of the new high UVB output fluorescent compact lamps and tubes" which resulted in them developing something called photo-kerato-conjunctivitis, which apparently can lead to death.

If my bd is going to spend the majority of his day on his basking platform, should I still go with a stronger output bulb?

Here's the ARTICLE

Thanks.