question on rack temp

Just got a 7 tub 32qt rack from AP. Temps are being controlled by a herpstat pro. I have the thermo probe directly on the heat tape. (belly heat) I have my temp probe on the floor of the tote directly above the heat tape.
My room temp is about 80 degrees with a space heater in the room.

I am using a zoo med digital thermometer and am getting a reading of 88 degrees. I seem to get the same reading if I have the herp stat dialed up to 98 or dialed down to 94. Can the buffer of the tote really be causing a variance of 10 degrees? I cant seem to get a reading above that though. Was trying to get it to 91 but dont wanna dial the herp stat to 100. Didnt think I should need to do that

The behavior of all the snakes seems to vary. Some are on the hot spot, some middle some cool side. should I be concerned or does this seem normal? This is my first rack set up so im just trying to get it right because I have another one on the way already LOL

Are you giving the heat tape enough time to adjust (set, wait an hour, check, set, wait, check, etc.)?

yeah I bumped it up last night and checked it this AM. moved up one degree lol and now it is steady at 88 degrees

Oh snap I didnt even read your post right. Umm, yeah, sometimes you'll have to set your thermostat higher than what the intended temperature is. Go look at some of Ralph Davis' videos, he has his Helix set at 96 to maintain proper heat temps. Every set up is going to be different, it's ok to set higher to reach your desired temp.

When I first got my Herpstat, my room set up and air temp had me setting my thermostat at 97 to achieve a hot spot of 90.

Edit- And your snakes being in diffrent spots is fine. Some want warmth, some want to cool off, and some are undecided. Its normal. Now, if all your females are on the cool side and hanging out around their bowl...well...you just might be ready for some breeding.

In Ralph Davis' videos he also points out that because of the location of one of the racks it requires him to set the thermostat to 100 degrees. The snakes don't care what the thermostat says, they just want their hot spot right.

i'll set my thermostat to 110 and in thubs the hotspot is around 92, youre good.

Im gonna bump it up a bit more then. Didnt realize there was that much of a difference. Ill adjust it till I get it to 92 but I have noticed alot of the snakes spend time on the cooler side. Thats the only reason I wasnt quick to bump it up. I figured that it was hot enough if they arent basking on the hot side.

I just set my probes inside an empty tub and set it to the temp I want to achieve. I double check with my temp-gun every once in a while to be safe.