Thanks to everyone to your replies, Domepiece thank you for your advice I did look into belly heat but suprisingly found that I was able to achieve a better gradient with the lamp in my viv, my viv is wooden with two vent panels at the top so its quite good at maintaining temp and of course its hooked up to a thermostat as it should be, as for the belly heat I can imagine the little guys do quite enjoy it, I meant no disrespect by saying they were detremental I may have been over exagerating to support my argument!
As for the guard I shall be sure to put something in place so no need to worry, however I can hold the reflector with my hand withought burning myself.
kitedemon a whole wire screen was something I'd thought of but am not sure how I'd achieve that securely, any reconmendations? Also I no people have had custom sized guards made do you know where any of these would be available?