A friend of mine had just gotten a baby BP and then found out she had to move and couldn't take him with her. She told me she was just going to let him go in the back yard (!!!) which was a total ploy to play on my heart stings and get me to take him... which worked. (sigh) So, I now have a 20+ year commitment because I'm a sucker. I love him already.

Unfortunatly I was also completely unprepared. So, I got him last night, had to work all day and all the pet stores were closed. I need to go shopping tomorrow. I've been doing a TON of reading (don't know a lot yet, there's lots of conflicting info, but I'm trying to learn quick for his sake). Anyway, I have him in a 18qt sterlite box with holes drilled in the top right now (it was the only thing I had) and she gave me a heating rock (which I already know is bad, but again, it's all I have until tomorrow). I wrapped the rock in a towel so he couldn't lay directly on it and will be getting a UTH tomorrow cuz that seems the best and most economical rout.

My question is, should I buy one of those repti theromosat things or will a dimmer switch actaully work? What do you have to do to set it up? I'm thinking you just set it, take it's temp with some kind of digital thermometer and make adjustment til its right... right?

Thanks,
Lira