Is this the 10gal tank? If so, you need to cut something like a piece of plexiglass and use it for the top. This will help retain humidity and heat. Ensure you have some ventilation holes on both sides.

If you use and UTH and you are able to keep most of the heat in with the plexiglass, there will not be a need for a light/heat source - at least not all the time. You can have a cut-out in the plexiglass for the heat lamp and just turn it on a couple of hours in the morning.

Astro turf is fine, but as Tosha pointed out, it's not the best at maintaining humidity. It can also be a source of "growth" if you know what I mean. There are better choices, but if the plexiglass suggestion works, you may be able to keep the turf.

If you want to spend the money, you could also use a heat panel instead of heat lamp.

Just make simple, incremental changes and see how it goes.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

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