I have the zoo med heat pads and have not used thermostats thus far. I have them attached to my two plastic tubs. The seem hot, but the tub seems to handle it and the substrate (about 3" thick) seems only slightly warm to the touch. My snakes have not burrowed and move from the cool hide to the warm hide several times a day.

I am being proactive at this point, not wanting my snakes injured due to my ignorance. So...

Thought of purchasing a dimmer or thermostats to hook the tubs up, but not sure how they work. They also seem pricy for the good ones.

Note: my room is temp set at 75 and the snakes feel upper cool to lower warm when I handle them.

Appreciate your insights.

FM