You really need to get something to control the temperature. Check out the Zilla 11939 Temperature Controller to control the temperature. You can find them pretty cheap online. Anywhere from 20-25$ shipped. Use that along with some kind of thermometer. I use the Acurite Digital Indoor / Outdoor Thermometer which you can find at Wal-Mart for under 15$. Get both of those and you'll be set. You really need to keep the temperature constant. If your heat pad is off for an hour the temperature will go down quite a bit.