If you are in a bind for cash or not, I personally like heat tape style UTHs when I use them. Ones from Flukers or Ultratherm are great. I like Zoo Med stuff but I hate their coated UTHs plus they are overpriced. As for the T-stat, just get a Hydrofarm if you are strapped on cash. But a T-stat is the most important item so I would put priority one for a good one asap. I personally only use Herpstats and got a couple Hydrofarms as back ups. Then hit up any hardware store for a roll of Foil Tape and you are good to go.