Need some tank setup help

my flexwatt is 3' and just runs in one strip covering the back 1/3 of the tub. I have a larger display rack where the UTH and flexwatt combo covers almost half because it has more height and is harder to hold in heat.

The most important factor is actually your room temp. I find it harder to maintain the further my home gets from 80.

I also had issues with poorly supplied petstores, so I feel your pain, most of what I recommend can be ordered from beanfarm online, and they're great to deal with. Also, if you go with a clear tub, you get the same display ability, less hassel and a much more stable environment.

If your house is usually around the 75 or lower range I would recommend the UTH for your cool side, and flexwatt for the hot both regulated by thermostats or atleast one thermo for the flex and a dimmer swith or rheostat for the UTH. You can go with less, but that would need a lot of extra monitoring and leave a large margin for error... I like that I can leave for a weekend and confident that things are fine at home - save a natural disaster or act of god.