There is a difference between a thermostat and a themometer a fact that I didn't understand at first. The thermostat is something you plug your UTH into so you can control the heat it puts out. The themometer measures the temp in the tank. As for the substrate most people on here will suggest using coconut sub, which you can buy at Petsmart and Petco. I mix mine with regular reptile substrate but then I'm into the esthetics as well as the functional aspect.

Another thing I've learned in the last few months is that activity is not a sign of happiness with bp's it's a sign of stress. After getting advice in here I started paying attention to my girl's behavior and learned that when she's happy she hides all the time, only coming out if she's too warm, too cold, or hungry.