Well, my friend is a first time grower and here's the method he used which worked extremely well. This method assumes that you have basic home wiring skills. If you don't, then forget it.First, get one of those cheap Sterlite 10 gallon containers that they sell at Target for like 5 bux and a cheap heating pad. Then, go to Home Depot and buy an in-line thermostat, 2 standard electical junction boxes, a standard outlet and a face plate for the outlet. The thermostat he purchased was a Honeywell for like $12. Also, get the cheapest extension cord that they have. Pick up a package of wire nuts if you don't have any at home.
1. Take the lid of the Sterlite container and mount the electrical junction box using just basic drywall screws (or any method that will work). This is where the thermostat will go.
2. Mount the other electrical box to the outside of the lid. This is where you will put the outlet.
3. Cut the plug end of the extension cord and wire up the thermostat and the outlet. If you don't know how to do this, then don't try this method.
4. Put the heating pad under the box and a towel in the bottom of the box. Plug the heating pad into your newly created outlet on top of the box. Turn the heating pad on and set the thermostat for the desire temperature.
Wala! you now have a constant temperature environment for around $30. My friends EQ's fully colonized in like 2.5 weeks.