Hi Larry,
Great info. Thanks for testing the heat tape for me. I shot the heat tape many times with my temp gun, and it is always approximately 110 F at full power. The tubs are pushed all the way against the flexwatt, and I am measuring around three inches from the back of the tubs. The back of the tubs gets around 96 F, but three inches from the back, the bottom of the tubs is around 87 F, which is normally where the ball pythons are coiled.
Great idea about the reflective foil. I may have to do that. It will be a pain, because the back will have to be removed for me to install the foil. I am going to wait to see how the balls are doing before attempting this.
Thanks again,