We unplugged the heat mat. I know what you meant about the gun, even though I called it a heat gun, too.
Right now, we have two heat lamps on both cool and warm side because our ambient air is very cold because of the winter. Cool side stays above 75 with the low watt heat bulb on that side and gets up to 80-85 when it is not as cold in the room. I feel bad that I thought the warm side was good, but I had the wrong mat and wrong thermometer. We're getting a temp gun and thermometer probe for that side asap. We are going to the store right now to exchange and get the stuff we need.(Plus getting matching hides and fake plants to fill out the exoterra) I really am thankful for the advice.
I have been lurking a little and saw the warning about the hallow logs, so no worries there.