Current setup:
Glass tank, 20 gallon, about 2'x1' for a 3'6" ball. (kind of small, but we're just starting out here)
Reptile liner thingy. It's kind of felt-like.
Some aspen.
ZooMed 8W UTH.
The $12 Acurite thermometer/hygrometer everyone recommends, unit on cool side, probe under liner directly over UTH.
Whole thing up on bricks for circulation.
CHE above.

UTH is very hot. But I don't think the snake can get burnt because of the liner. Either way, the rest of the tank is too cold. Like 75-80 cold.

I'm aware that I need some sort of regulator for the UTH but even with it hotter than it should be and the CHE running, the rest of the tank is no warmer at all.

Can anyone recommend a regulator and possibly explain what the different types do and what their pros and cons are?

I love this gif.