I'm also a beginner, but here are some things I've researched/experienced:

1. How do you have the probe set up/where is it placed? Is the probe wedged between the heat tape and bottom of the tub? What kind of thermostats do you currently use? This might be obvious, but there's a difference between a thermostat and thermometer. A thermostat regulates temps, a thermometer just reads them. You definitely need a thermostat with heat tape.

I have the thermostat probe on top of the heat tape and then the tub on top. It is the jump start thermostat. I have a digital thermometer in their as well.

2. Someone else will hopefully be able to chime in more on the ambient air temperature in tubs. I didn't have much luck with them and changed back to tanks. What I've read is that typically UTHs and heat tape don't warm the air, just the substrate. So you could put another on the cool side and set the thermostat to whatever it needs to be to get the substrate to 80 degrees. I have seen photos of where people have poked some holes or screened part of the top of a tub to use a CHE, but you'd need to be careful with placement to not melt the plastic and would need a thermostat.

3. More holes = less humidity. You can do a few more at a time to control how low the humidity gets. I've also found that more holes = less retained heat, so keep that in mind.

4. Pinky, whether rat or mouse, is definitely too small. Most likely a mouse hopper or small rat fuzzy is needed. Here's a screenshot of a chart I've found helpful:


Thanks for the help