Thanks everyone for your feed back! I've turned off the UTH, and placed the heating lamp over the hide for now. It seems like a standard heating lamp wouldn't have the risk of overheating as much as the UTH and it should be safe... right?

The $12 thermometer is exactly the one I've ordered already. Since it measures humidity and TWO differrent temps, it really does seem like the perfect one!

Stuffing the oversized hide is a great idea! I'm also going to pick up a few of those dollar bowls so I can at least have one on the non heated side until my "asthetically" pleasing one comes in.

Thanks again everyone!