If i set my heat pad below 97 degrees the substrate which is about a half inch deep will only heat up to about 84 degrees if that. Like i said my room is usually 60-65 degrees so I think its a struggle to maintain a 90 degree hot spot and the red bulb is drying the tank out. Is reptile bark any good? Is see mixed reviews about it on a lot of sites. I use aspen because thats all I use with my kings and corns but they require less humidity.