I totally agree with JLC. You have to regulate that heat. If you need something right away and the pet stores near you does not carry that dimmer try Home Depot and grab you one of these. When I first went looking for dimmer I had to have one like that day and none of the local pet stores to me carried that rheostat, ReptiTemp Rheostat. You would think it was a basic item but I came to find out it was much more of a pain to find. That first one should cure your problems if you cannot find the other item.