Also yes, you definitely want a way to directly regulate your heat source, but a simple rheostat would surely do just fine. I only use Herpstat thermostats personally, but rheostats can work great for tanks/UTHs, and are so much more affordable. You can also run 2 elements with this, IF THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME.
Great buy: http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermos...omed-rheostat/