haha sorry about all that, those were my biggest concerns with her but I really appreicate you reading and responding.
As for measuring temperature I have something similar to that but it has the thermometer and hygrometer on the same thing, as well as a digital one that has probes, I also recently purchased a temperature gun!
And ah I thought my substrate was too thick, I'll thin it out a bit and see if it helps. I am going to mix some reptibark and coco fiber and try something along those lines! thanks for the advice