Temp and Humidity Problems

Alright, but is it ok if the substrate is 92, but the ambient is 75, or should I get a weak heat lamp just in case? Also, would the cling wrap make the cage moldy?

I use a heat lamp on a dimmer to keep ambient temps in range (as well as UTH for belly heat on hot side) ... I put it kind of in the middle-front area of my terrarium, slightly more towards the hot side because the exo-terra tanks have those plastic cross beams on the screen so I can't put it RIGHT in the middle... and I put a dimmer on the light it so I can adjust it lower or higher depending on the weather. The bulbs themselves I think are only like 60w (I don't buy higher than 75w). If I need to lessen the warmth even more but still need a little bit, I also have the option of a stand that I can hang the light on. Options! lol

I'm in SoCal so our weather is pretty mild or warm. On hot days when it's in the 80's, I don't need the lamp at all (unless AC is on), and just use UTH only w/thermostat, but when it chills at night I turn the lamp on low to mid level (on the dimmer switch) and that usually works well

The top of my screen is covered in foil except for the small space that allows the lamp to fit

My temps are 90-91 on UTH hot spot (the glass), low 80's all over ambient (like 81 usually). maybe a degree or two cooler than that way in the back corner of the cool side (which she loves to hang out because there's stuff to hide behind there. Either there, or under her warm hide... and she DOES move the substrate under there every time, so that is why glass temp is important. They will move the substrate.

Here's some pictures of my set up. You see two lamps up there but I only use one at a time... daytime and night time.. the room doesn't bring in any sunlight at all while we're away at work so I do the 12 hour day/night thing which I know isn't 100% necessary. She seems happy with it.

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Also, don't judge, that ambient temp of 75 in the picture is off! I was warming things back up after a chilly night and I think I had also just misted some water in there which always lowers it a bit lol... Usually it's at 81-82 :P

I also usually have foil over that spot to the left of the lamp too

Thank you so much! Does the aluminum help keep your humidity up, or would cling wrap work better? I bought a new hermostat and my substrate is on its way to being perfect. Does the heat lamp dry it out?

I do sometimes have to mist inside the tank, but not too much...the aluminum does help because I notice a huge difference between if it's covered vs. not. I personally would prefer aluminum over the cling wrap, even if just for ease of forming it and placing it ... I always screw things up with cling wrap, that could be my own issue though lol

In SoCal the humidity is OK, so it never really drops lower than in the mid 40's if it does drop below range in the tank. Misting once in a while solves it, and I also use the Eco Earth substrate which seems to hold moisture decently... Cypress Mulch may be even better based on what I've heard others say. Having a larger water dish may also help. Sometimes I'll put a wet wash cloth on top of the screen under one of the sheets of aluminum and that's helped sometimes too.

In lower humidity areas, it could be a little trickier for sure. You just have to experiment with it

Thanks again, at this point all of my questions have been answered! I'll experiment with everything and hopefully it'll work. Thanks again everybody!

a radiant heat panel is another alternative to heat lamps, worth looking into. if you are sticking with lamps, then foil is better because it can handle direct contact with the lamp reflector without melting.