you're making it too complicated.
1. temperature gradient: it doesn't matter where you put the ceramic heat element, UTH, lamps, etc. as long as you have the correct heat gradient(80s-90s)
2.hides: you can put in as many hides as you want. keep them identical so they will choose thermoregulation over security.
3. substrate: whatever floats your boat (as long as it aint toxic)
4. heating/lighting: you could use a "repitsun bulb" for cycles if you want. You could use 3 UTH, 1 UTH, 0 UTH with a CHE, but it depends on what is needed to keep the correct temperature gradients.
5. humidity/ventilation: dunno the science behind BP and humidity, but I keep mine at ~60%. as long as the tank isn't air tight, you should be okay on ventilation.
6. skip the fogger/hygrotherm. mechanical timers are reliable. inexpensive thermostat=hygrofarm(amazon.com)
Reply With Quote