Hi Mr Sully, I was lead to believe that a Rheostat was a dimmer... I was in a reptile store that had everything conveniently there so I purchased a rheostat instead of the dimmer that you suggested. Sorry for seeming like I wasn't listening, but I was, and I did appreciate your help and read the sticky. I didn't get the snake until I was maintaining a correct temperature but something happened. i'll be heading to Lowes tomorrow.