got a new bp last thurs. (approx 6 months, not sexed). For a temporary setup, I have what is essentially a 10 g. critter cage (different brand, older), uth (zoomed I think, for 10-20 gal), 8.5 in clamp lamp w/3 choices for bulbs, 50W & 100W red, and 75W white. Aspen substrate, water dish, hide, tree, dial thermometer on each side (not stuck on, resting wherever I want to measure).

Here's the trouble....I'm not sure that the tank is getting the right temp, in most cases, it's too cool. The 100W red seems way too hot for that small of a tank, so I'm leaving that alone for now. I've been using the 75 for day, and 50 for night, but in each case, I think it's 5 degrees or so (more?) cooler than what I would want. I'm not sure how much heat is coming from the pad...the hide is over the pad, and under the lamp, and it is warmer under the hide, where Monty spends the most time (almost all the time, another poss. indicator that it's too cold). My house thermostat is set at 72, but that's upstairs, so it's more like 68 downstairs, where the cage is. right now, w/the uth and 75w light, the cool side is right around 70 degrees, and warm side is around 80. on the tree branch right by the light, it gets to 100 or so (that part's not too cold, obviously), and I'll need to check again to see what it is in the hide....right now measuring 80 just outside of it. The 75 has only been in for a little today, so I think it warms up a little more, but not a lot. I think those are about the temps it gets at night w/the 50. My understanding is I want it more like 80 (maybe a LITTLE cooler) on the cool side, 85-90 on the warm, and then around 95 for basking.....(might be off a bit). If that's the case, what is the best way for me to reach those temps? If I can do it w/what I have, that's great. The less I have to spend immediately, the better. I am on my way to get a dig therm/hygro w/probe, to make sure temps are correct. In the next month or 2, I will either buy a 30 gal breeder critter cate, 30x18x12, or build a cage my self, from that size to 4x2x2 or smth, which means 2 things....one, the small cage is pretty temporary, so I don't want to buy some huge elaborate heating system for it (shouldn't need one for that small of a tank, I don't think), and two, which is I guess related, anything that could later be used for the bigger tank is of course a plus.

Obviously I'll spend whatever is needed to keep Monty healthy, but, like most people, I can't afford to buy more stuff if I don't need it. I hope this post isn't too confusing.....to boil it down, the room is cooler than most on here seem to be (maybe 68 degrees), and I'm having trouble getting correct temps for the tank. Any help is appreciated.