really screwed up temps

ok before i got the infrared bulb i was using a party bulb by mistake so then i swithced. but when i switched the temps got real crazy. i could put the heating pad on alone but the highest it gets is 84.6 on the hot side and 78.9 on the other. then when i add the infrared it gets 98.7 degrees on the hot side and 87.8 on the cool side. thehumidity stays in the tank for a while when the infrared is off the temps are too low and when the infrared is on the temps get a lil too high and the humidity drops just as fast as it rises. can some one please give me some advice. right now the temps in the tank are 86.2 on the hot side and 76.3 on the cool side. mind u all i have the top covered with tape and space cut out for the light bulb. i jave tried the humid hide and misting and all have failed.

What's your wattage on the bulb compared to the tank size? Sounds like you need a dimmer switch to me. That way you can just turn down the light if it gets too hot. In the winter you may have to ease it back up......or maybe not. A dimmer will turn whatever bulb you have into a convenient multiwatt.

use a thermostat to regulate the heat source. that way it never gets too hot. dimmers or rheostats do not regulate like a thermostat, temps can rise and fall with surrounding conditions.

thanks
vaughn

What Steelsack said, or else bump up your heat pad's setting or reduce the space between pad and enclosure. 78.9 cool side is fine, but 84.6 is a little cool for the warm side and you do want to get that up at least 2-3 degrees.