thanks for your reply. yes, i use a thermostat for regulating the UTH. any suggestions on what else to use besides the carpets? i wash them with every viv cleaning and have 2 that i use in rotation. i use them bc i worried he might burn his belly if he lays directly on the glass. i agree that he might not feel secure anymore, and i've also noticed him laying differently in the hides, which started right before he found his new hiding place beneath the carpet. do you think the size of his hides could be the issue? it's really the only thing i can think of at this point, and i'm getting tired of rebuilding his viv almost every night lol. again, thanks for your reply!