Don't think youre being a prick at all I understand the concern with burns this is not my first snake. I think what I'm going to have to do is dump the rheostat and just put it on a thermostat. I suppose then I can crank whatever I need to for the cold side as the heat pad will shut off whenever it reaches temperature. I was hoping the rheostat at its lowest setting would be cool enough but doesn't look like that's the case. These zoomed UTH's just get too hot. Anyone have experience with those national geographic multizone viviarium ones?? Also if someone could tell me how to attach a photo that would be great:)