I just got a cute new BP (very unexpectedly, weird story in another post) a few days ago, an approx. 550g sweet-as-pie pastel girl, and want to make sure that she has everything she needs to be happy. I got her an under-tank heating pad, a comfy hide (getting a second one for the other side here shortly), some greenery under which she can hide, a little climb stick (that I didn't expect her to love but she's all over it during her active times). The thermometer/hydrometer (is that the right term) that came with her tank looks crummy to me, and I'm not certain how much I trust its output.

After installing the pad, the heat only read out to be about 82 on the "hot" side, which obviously worried me. I grabbed a 75w heat lamp that I've used for rehabbing other animals, but her enclosure still doesn't read much higher on average- 92 was the highest on a hot day the other day. It got particularly cold last night and I was mortified to wake up and see her thermometer reading at 74. She was more than okay with me taking her out to snuggle her warmer until I had to leave for work, but that's far from a viable solution. I want to get something that can handle Texas's wild temperature fluctuations and keep her cage at a stable temperature. I also feel like I need a new thermometer, or a thermostat to monitor/control a new heating element.

Obviously, I spent a bunch of money getting all of her initial equipment (because I'm apparently too dumb to check local classifieds) and am kind of strapped, but I don't want her to suffer for it. Does anyone have any effective, economical suggestions? There's a good chance I'll upgrade it later because that's how I am, but I'm worried about the little lady right now. I can't be letting down my newest family addition!