Just back from your enclosure thread.... That's how I've been using it but I may be wrong about that, we'll see if someone else jumps in about that one and \ no I don't use a thermostat with it - it's on all day from about 7.30 until tort goes to bed but I do with the CHE at night which goes on at his bedtime. Some people use timers with their lights/che to make their life easier but I'm usually around to do it myself.