Ambient temp gradient

Well what's the best way to achieve a good gradient in my 8x20 ? I have the uth run by herpstat+.. U have a heat lamp with day bulb and a space heater for my room. I got the ambient up to about 80 so far and I'm not using the lamp.. However both cold and warm sides the ambient is only a 2 deg diff at most and my room is slowly getting uncomfortable..

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4208/imageavlr.jpg
I know I know half log isnt a good hide but I bought the hides n stuff b4 getting on here

You don't need an ambient temp thermal gradient. If the air in the cage is 80 on both the hot and cool side then all you need for a hot side is a UTH controlled by a thermostat to heat the floor.

With a tank like that there is no reason to heat the entire room. Just use a heat lamp to maintaing the air temperature at 80

And hear I'm trying to hit 78-80 on cold 85-90 on hot with a warm spot of 92

My room gets really cold in this house in the winter so I'm using the heater to get me stable at 75 and I'll throw the lamp on it on the warm side..


Thanks for the input

There is a difference between air temps (ambient temps) and surface temps you are speaking of surface temps they should be around 77-80. The hot spot should be 88-92 give or take. The cool surface should not be below 75º and hot not over 94ºF.

Than there is air temps they should be 77-85ºF and absolutely not below 75º for any amount of time. Air moves so there is little to no gradient. Ideally there should be good air flow and no stratification (layers different temps) so in an ideal situation the air temps should be effectively the exact same. This isn't super common often there are areas that are warmer and cooler but usually not by much.

Ok that clears it up pretty well.. I was wondering how ppl who keep their snakes in shoe boxes had the temp grade for ambient but it's virtually impossible..

Well I've got the set up down pretty well I think herpstat set at 97 which gives me a hotspot of 91/92

My room is at 75 and the cage is at 80 on both sides with humidity at 55%

Been pretty steady for a few hours now.. Still no lamp over it which will bump things up a bit..

Only concerns I have left now is the drop over night but the space heater has a t stat on it.. No numbers but with where its set now it kicks on when the room hits 70 and runs till it gets back up to 78 then cuts off