I have my 3.5' bp in a 40 gallon tank, and have made a lot of changes to try to get the right temps and humidity. (Next year I am getting a plastic cage from reptile basics, with all the best stuff, but for now this is what I have to work with). I keep 3/4 of the top screen covered with wax paper, cocofiber on the bottom, a hide on each side, water dish in the middle, and a nice piece of mangled wood she likes to curl up on. Before I had just a heat lamp, that would give me the right temps, sometimes it would get too hot. However the humidity I've managed to keep stable and within the correct range.

So here is what I have now: UTH under each side, each one hooked up to a repti-temp 500R thermostat. However I'm having trouble getting the temps up, it's been a few hours and the warm side only reads 84 on top of the substrate in her warm side hide. I tried putting the probe between the mat and the tank, and inside the tank under the substrate, and both had the same results. According to the packaging the reptitemp thermostat can go up to 110 degrees, so how come when I have it on the highest setting, it's only getting up to 84 (and then turning off, since the little light is no longer on). I wanted the thermostats because I've heard how hot UTHs can get. I don't know if I should leave one plugged into the thermostat to keep it in the low 80s, and leave the other one on its own and just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesnt get too hot?

I know I know I need to invest in some better equipment but the situation won't really be changed until the school year is over, or maybe I'll try to get a good setup as a christmas present My bp is getting babysat by my boyfriend (don't have room for her at college but he does) so I want to get everything set up perfectly before he takes her this weekend.

Any suggestions?