My husbandry SUCKS

[Maggie Louise]

Okay guys. I fully anticipate a good bashing upon posting this thread. But I need some help/reassurance (I'm flipping all the way out). I got my first BP on nov 30th. He's a pewter ball, six months old today. He's incredibly sweet and docile, an excellent eater, and overall the best little guy in the world - great with handling/bonding, but he doesn't like or trust anyone outside of myself yet. I digress..

before getting Bix I did what felt like a million hours of research. I pulled info from a bunch of different trustable sources and ironed out what I believe to be the most reliable information. I made charts, a care guide, and an info sheet for others to read before engaging with him. I am a helicopter mom. And I am officially losing my poop.

Choosing to own a pet is a privilege, and it's the responsibility of the owner to provide the highest quality of care possible. Bottom line, I know what needs to be done, and I'm trying. So please be gentle.

Onto the meat of it. My husbandry SUCKS. I have a temp regulator that my mats are plugged into (I think it's all zoo med). The regulator doesn't have numbers on it, just a knob. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still screwing with it and I cannot for the life of me keep the temp stable. I've been using a digital thermometer and a digital hygrometer. As far as humidity is concerned, it's also been touch and go. Most of the time it's either too high or too low. I just purchased a mistking and it's not. Helping. Needless to say I've spent hundreds of dollars to no freaking avail. I just ordered glass pieces for the lid of his next tank and a whole mess of crap to fill it with but my pockets are officially dry and he's not ready for the 40gal yet.

I reached my tipping point today. I was gone for less than 24 hours. Don't hit me when I say this. When I got home, the readings on my mistking system put the temp at 115 degrees and the humidity at 99.9% (I think he rolled over it after soaking because the sensor was dripping wet but my substrate was soaked so I know it was still too high).

I am so scared for his health and frustrated to near tears trying to figure this out. RI's, mouth/scale rot, belly burns, all of it. I'm paranoid. He hasn't shown any signs of illness or injury yet but I'm afraid that due to all of this the damage may already be done. I'm taking him to a herp vet tomorrow to get him checked out and to do a culture just in case, but good lord I can't take this much longer. I want my guy to be happy and healthy in my home for the next 30 years.

PLEASE HELP ME. If you've had a fail proof environment for your BP that has lasted months, years, I'll take even a week without this stress.. Help me!!