BP safe hides?

[Ax01]

My BP seems to be favoring the cardboard box I put on his cold side since I put it in his tank. I was thinking of putting it on his hot side but I’m worried about the heat lamp over the cardboard.. his UTH caused his hot hide to burn up to 100degrees F so I u plugged it for the night until I can get a temp controller for it. Will thick cardboard do any harm under the heat or to my new friend? I am new to this and only had him for a month so until a week ago, he didn’t have a hide on his cool side. I also have a plastic Maxwell House container that I cut in half but I’d be more worried about the plastic. Not sure what hide will survive the 95 watt heat lamp but even testing it makes me nervous.

Hes in a 20gal glass tank. He’s about 6 y.o at least, almost 4 ft long. I use a 75 watt white bulb during the day when the temp drops, and a 65 watt blue night bulb at night.

Any my suggestions would be great! He was ‘dropped in our laps’ about a month ago and Iv been researching how to care for him ever since!

welcome to the hobby and congrats on your adoption. i wouldn't say your new BP is favoring the cardboard box on the cool side. he's probably just be over there b/c the UTH is way too hot (and dangerous) b/c it's 100degrees. even if u didn't have a hide on the cool side, i bet he woulda been over there in the corner or trying to burrow under the water dish. appropriately sized identical hides would be better and would encourage better thermoregulating b/c a BP wouldn't be able to choose a favorite hideaway b/c of size, shape, texture, etc.

keep your UTH unplugged, not just at night, until u can get a thermostat. 100degrees day or night is dangerous. it would also be a good idea to put your lights on a rheostat/dimmer.