Gradient temps for Dumerils?

I just bought a PVC tank with 80 watt heat panel and can get the hot side to 87 and the other side is only 1 degree cooler. Do I need a gradient temp like ball pythons

maybe i should switch to a heat mat instead. Seems like the panel is heating the whole thing.

(1) Where are you taking the temps? ie: floor, wall........

(2) What are you measuring the temps with?

(3) What's the ambient temp in the room?

What are the dimensions of the cage? An 80 watt RBI RHP measures almost 23" x 12" which takes up most of the space in a 4x2 cage. Unless you have a giant cage, that panel is too large.

I use 40 watt RHPs in my 4x2 cages. These panels are considerable smaller and raise the cool end temp only two degrees or so over the ambient temp (75) in the room.

I see you have a 3' long cage. That panel is overkill. Either get a smaller RHP or switch to an alternative heating method.

Im measuring the temp on the back wall, cpl inches up from substrate. What i have done now is put a heat mat under the tank, same side as the panel and put my probe on inside of tank, under substrate, on top of the UTH. See if i can get a hot spot of 88-89 there, and we will see if its cooler on the opposite side.

So i experimented and with the panel and UTH, the hotspot gets to 89, and the cool side gets to 82. How is that for Dumerils? Humidity is about 70.