"Then set the temp on the t-stat to 88F. Wait an 30 mins to an hour and then check the temp all over the heat tape with a temp gun from the inside of the floor of the cage with no substrate on it. It will vary as heat tape isnt 100% uniform. You want it to average around 86-88F. A spot of 90F or a spot of 84F isnt going to hurt, you just want it mostly around 86-88F."
Sauzo is dead on here. I think some people freak out if there are spots that are higher or lower than "desired." I have flexwatt and a RHP on the hot side of my 6X2X1' Boaphile tank. It ranges from 85-91F if you test every single square inch. However, 90% of the spots I hit are 86-89, with an average of about 88F.
Try to keep all spots above 84F or so and under 91-92F or so, but if you are averaging about 88F you are good.
Also mentioned here is how to test ambient temps.
All my tanks are well enclosed (again Boaphile tanks - similar with AP, for example) and for my snakes, about a foot tall (my BTS has about 18 inches of clearance because he needs basking bulbs for UV). There isn't much variance between ground temps and 6 inches up on the tank AWAY FROM HEAT SOURCES. So, I do get my ambients temps with a heat gun. If I hit the wall in the middle of the tank, or the substrate, there is little to no difference. Again, this in the area (about 3 1/2 to 4FT of tank) in the middle of the tank where there are zero heat sources.
In a glass tank however, I imagine there is more variance as heat escapes. Also, taller tanks, or tanks without RHP's, etc. will all be different. Once you know your setup, and it handles heat and humidity well, I find a heat gun works well.
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