Re: Heating opinion needed
I would prefer to have the t-stat control the hot side of the tank, because to my way of thinking, getting too hot is more dangerous than getting a little too cool. But that's just me, others may think differently. If your temps are already holding steady with both rheostats, then it probably doesn't make a huge difference where you plug the first t-stat in.
As for the night drops, you don't need any. Just keep the temps the same 24/7.
Re: Heating opinion needed
We have thermostats on both sides, under the hides to control cool side and warm side temperatures; a CHE is connected to the warm side t-stat, so it turns on when the warm side UTH turns on, which helps maintain tank ambient air temp to 80ish as well.