I use 1 foot of 11" flexwatt. Connecting it to a thermostat is ideal, but if you're on a budget like me, go to the hardware store and buy a 6' extention cord and a rotary lamp dimmer. You can either solder, or buy clips to wire it up, and it's ready to go. Matt (justcage) can help you more with this.. he has all the stuff you'd need.