Hey everyone!

First I'd like to start out by saying that I am new to this forum and am excited to be here for help and to learn a lot more about my new pet. I got a garter snake two days ago and have been quickly learning a lot about how to take care of him. At the pet store, I got a 'prefab' kit with a 10G tank, heating pad, 50watt day blue light (with ceramic reflector dome), terranium liner, and some peat moss substrate. The instructions informed me to always leave the heat pad on, and I understand how to manage the temperature gradient. However, yesterday I had the heat pad on (it is under the tank btw) and the day blue light. He seemed to be happy. However, at night once I got him more stuff for the tank (some artificial leaves, a 'den' and a good sized water pool for fish/and him to bask in. He quickly wrapped up and stayed in the water for about 2 hours. So I assume he was overheated. Therefore, today I was reluctant to use the lamp for too long.. I turned on the lamp (heating pad had still be constantly on) and threw in my digital thermometer with the reader touching the substrate. It read 90 degrees. I know this is not good so I decided to turn off the heating pad. Without the pad, it is now 81.6 degrees with just the lamp. Essentially my question is.. is turning the lamp on during the day and unplugging heating pad, then putting heating pad on at night and lamp off a good solution and method to keep my snake's temperature regulated at a healthy level? Ill post a pic of my tank too! Thanks to whoever replies, I'm really gald to be somewhere where I can get help.



(Idk if you can see his little head poking out on the right by the water bowl :] )

- Jeff