1. No, CHE's get extremely hot and could cause a fire if put in a normal socket. You can get a ceramic based lamp at WalMart for around $7.


2. If it isn't getting warm enough, I would try a 40w flood lamp from WalMart also. It will easily get your basking temps to 110-115 degrees and your warm side in the 90's. If it alone doesn't keep your cool side around 80 or so, I would use the CHE on a dimmer. You can put the CHE lamp in the middle of the tank lid and hopefully that will keep everything in the correct ranges.

3. Yes, the basking and the warm side are on the same side, but are different temp ranges. You can use anything, branches, hammocks, basking ledges, to provide a basking spot.

Hope you get it sorted out!