There has been a lot of discussion about the use of UTHs with various substrates. Our snake came to us in a tank with about an inch of ReptiBark. The temperature on top of the bark fluctuated SO MUCH, driving us nuts those first couple of weeks.

Then I read through threads here about different substrates and heat temps. Removed almost all the bark, leaving just enough to cover the newspaper, which nicely stabilized the temps.

Last night I went even further, removing all the bark and placing only one layer of paper towel on top of the newspaper. What a dramatic difference!

With the AcuRite probe between the newspaper and paper towels, the temp immediately shot up to high 90s (snakey was not in the tank at the time). For the first time, the ReptiTemp is dialed down to only about that halfway mark, instead of being toward the end (higher heat). Last week it was at close to full heat output, yet the temp read only high 80s.

Since we subscribe to the local paper and buy our paper towels at Costco, it looks like we'll be saving $$$ on pet store snake bedding.

I do have a question: The hide is over the AcuRite probe. (The probe itself is always covered, by bark before and now by the paper towel, so snakey can't mess with it.) I've noticed that the temp reading is warmer when snakey is directly on top of it. When not on top of it, the temp reading drops by several degrees. Should I always keep the temp at 92-94 degrees whether or not it's covered by the snake? Or allow it to go higher when covered because part of that heat is from the snake itself? (I hope that made sense.)