…newbies like you, who take the time and make the effort BEFORE getting their herp friend, is the BEST kind of newbie! 
OK, that said, I am no expert. Have had Darwin since April (born in Feb. and well acquainted with his breeder and history), but other herps previously, too. I will only comment on what I know and I am SURE many others will chime in, too. I will answer b/t the lines in italic to make it easier and so I don't get off on a tangent (me? Ha!)
>>Ok, first off let me say, I'm sorry if this ends up being a long post, which I'm sure it will. I am planning on getting a beardie after Christmas, probably around the first of they year. I would like to run my planned set up by they experts and get some feedback.
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>>For the enclosure I am planning on getting a 55 gallon standard aquarium. I had two concerns about this, one being if it was deep enough. The tank is 12-13" deep, and I know dragons can get bigger than that, any input?
I have a 75gal (got a lucky deal!) which is 48longx18deepx21high. The length and height are most important. I think most keepers use a 40gal breeder or a 55 gal tank.
The other concern was that I was planning on getting a baby or young juvie, so I thought the bigger tank might be overwhelming. I could always put up a divider that I have. What do you think, divider or no divider, that is the question (assuming I stick with the 55 gallon tank) (w/o divider the tank would be 48" long, with the divider I can make it as long as I want)
I started Darwin out in a 20gal and once I got the 75 I was going to use a divider but he really didn’t need it by then. But in all the questioning I did before hand a divider was recommended. Darwin was 5 months when I moved him from the 20 to 75 and did not need a divider at that age. The main reason for keeping it smaller when s/he is still small is so s/he will find food OK
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>>Lighting/heat wise, I am planning on getting a 160 watt capture the sun (bigappleher.com) mercury vapor bulb. Does 160 watts seem like too much? Has anyone used these? I was also planning on using flourescent UVB/A lighting as I would have the extra fixtures from the tank. Is there such a thing as too much UVB/A?
OK, here is where you may want input from more experienced bd keepers. However, I have kept chameleon’s and I hated the MV bulbs. I happened to use ZooMed Power Sun, but it constantly blew out and after having it replaced 2x I gave up and went back to Repti-sun 5.0. This was used on my cham and the heat (especially 160W) was a lot. So if you use it, get a temp gun (I love mine! $30 incl shipping) and monitor the basking spots carefully. I do know that babies need higher basking temps than older.
>>After much debate, I have decided to use reptile carpet as a substrate. I know this is a touchy topic but I believe I have made a good choice.
I personally use the shelf liner and find it to be very easy. I have two so when I clean the cage I just swap back and forth so the other can be disinfected. I have not used carpet, but my only concern was poop getting stuck and never getting really clean. But I also know that lots of folks use it, so it is just my opinion. Just a funny note about the liner. One of them has a palm tree design on it and every now and again Darwin tries to eat a palm tree! Lol!!!
>>And here's a question I have about silkworms. I once read that it was ok to give your beardie silworms everyday as a staple insect. Is this true? Would this be in conjuction with crickets, in addition to crickets, or instead of crickets? Any input is appreciated : )
Silkworms I can answer. Yes, they can be a great staple, however, I have found that some animals tire of them quickly. Nutritionally they are great, but as always recommended, a variety is best. Silkies can take a bit of practice if you rear your own (once you get the basics down it is quite easy) and expensive if you do not. Roaches are also a great food source. The do not smell, will eat anything so gutloading is easy and ideal. Darwin is being picky right now (eating nothing!), but when he does eat a roach he seems to really enjoy it! They are by far the easiest to keep. If you go to www.chameleonnews.com and look at the article reference you can find article on silkies, roaches and bug nutrition. Of course the beardie sites, too. 
>>I haven't made any desicions about decorations yet. If there is any product, decoration wise, that you are quite fond of, let me know and I'll check it out.
I prefer natural (cork bark, grapevine and real rocks) however, I FULLY understand why people do not use them. I just love the look of cork bark but loose crickets, roaches and superworms will hide and burrow into it. My solution is when I clean the tank (every Sunday) I soak the cork bark pieces in hot water and if anything is living in it they WILL come out!
Have fun!! Have you decided on a breeder/source yet? My only final piece of advice would be to NOT get one from your local pet store unless they are very well versed in their animals. Paying a tad more (you don’t have to go fancy, a plain “normal” bd is fine) from a reputable source is you best bet.
Hope this helps! The pic is of his current setup (just took tonight – see the little palm trees he likes to pick at? Lol!)
lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
