I'm putting together a new cage for my BP (PVC with sliding glass front) and I have some questions on heating and temps. I've installed my Herpstat probe between the Ultratherm and outside cage bottom with the Herpstat set at 91 and its holding it steady. Inside I have about a 1/2 inch of bark and coconut. I have a temporary probe resting directly on the bottom and it reads 84; when I use IR gun on the top of the substrate it reads in the mid/upper 70's. I'm going to be putting in another heat source to raise the overall inside temp. The humidity is currently around 80 (I assume the high humidity is contributing to some cooling of the substrate?). I'm planning on a radiant panel inside for ambient heat. My questions are: Does everything sound ok so far? I believe there to be some heat loss thru the bottom between the Ultratherm and bottom; what would the normal increase of the heat be to get 90 inside on the bottom (is +6 degrees alot)? I wasn't planning on any fixtures and there are no holes in the top of the cage other than a long narrow one with a screen if I wanted a fluorescence light bar; is the radiant panel a good way to go, would another Ultratherm also work? And the last one; could I use silicone to adhere (embed) a temp probe and it's cable to the inside bottom, to monitor the actual temp of the hot side where my BP would be, keeping him from moving the probe?

I hope this hasn't been too long. Thanks for any help......