Soon to be new owner.

[JeffJ]

thanks! I will think about the dimmer, another thing though, should i get a second smaller pad for the cold side, I cant get it to get above 75 naturally.. light or not.

you could. it will most definitely have to be on a dimmer to maintain the lower temperature. even the smallest of heat pads unregulated will get 120-140*F

are you in a cold part of the globe or do you blast your ac? im in the temperate zone and keeping a cool side temp of 80*F is simple for me in a glass tank.
no cool side heat source/.