Thermostat controlled lighting

Hi, I'm trying to correct a current set up I have with an on/off thermostat. I've been thinking in hindsight, maybe the on/off of the lights isn't the best idea. I thought, and hoped, the easiest correction would be placing an in line dimmer between the heat lamp and the on/off thermostat, but I'm not entirely sure that the thermostat won't just override the dimmer and just continue to shut it off anyway. Anybody have an answer, or alternative suggestion?

I agree, that's just the wrong kind of thermostat- you want a "proportional" one. I don't think a dimmer is going to help-it would stay on longer but still go on & off- & either way, a light going on & off is stressful to snakes, most of which don't like lights anyway. Better to use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter- heat only, no light) or black or red bulbs (since they don't give off as much light- I use them with only a dimmer, as they're not the only source of warmth, just for basking- with manual daily control, since I'm home.) If you use a CHE, make sure that your light fixture is rated for that wattage & is not plastic where the bulb screws in- you want only ceramic for safety.

Herpstats have dimming heat lamp control. That's what I would use.

Maybe I should've mentioned... My lil guy is a beardie, not a snake

Malum Argenteum, where could I find these? And what's the ballpark cost if you know?

We really need to know more about your setup.

However, dimmers or proportional thermostats can work with regular lights, but not with UVB lights, which is what a Bearded Dragon requires. If you are using other lights to raise ambient temps, then that's fine, but if you are wanting to use with a UVB light you are asking for trouble. I would be adjusting the wattage and/or distance from your bearded dragon to create correct basking spot temps.

If you can give us more information, we can try to be of more help.

https://spyderrobotics.com/

Many secondary sellers carry them too.

Edit to add: I assumed this was for an incandescent lamp. I should have confirmed that first.

Sorry, obviously no need for details but, life was a mess for a bit, so I only just noticed this.
I appreciate your response and to be clear, I definitely would not ever use his uvb lamp to effect heating changes in any way.

Again sorry, I forgot to address the "more info" part of your message.
It's a 4x2x2 foot custom melamine enclosure and because I hardwired and mounted the heat lamp fixture to the ceiling, it can't be raised or lowered. My temps are as perfect as I can hope for them to be, however I simply want to eliminate the fact that they turn off/on throughout the day. To be honest they don't turn off/on all that often (ballpark 1-2 x's per/hr) but, I'd just like to incorporate a dimmer and eliminate the off/on.
To be honest, I only began using the on/off set up after seeing it used in a reptile store which i believed to be knowledgeable and reliable. As someone who makes it a habit to thoroughly research any new information, I very much regret not learning more about the pros and cons of a heat lamp that isn't constant.
I guess I was looking only at the temperature aspect and not the visual light aspect.
It seems to me that the only real solution might be to get a herpstat but, by all means please correct me if you have ideas on alternate solutions.
Thank you for your time, I genuinely appreciate it.