Thanks for replying so fast! I am just using a acurite thermometer and placing the probe on the tape/pad, I also have a older digital zilla & it gives me the same readings of 97-101 on the tape/pad.

I have the pad on the top of a dresser not taped just sitting with the tub on top. The heat tape I have taped on a small ghetto rack I attempted to build with foil tape & the tub sitting on top.

I saw a post that someone used a piece of plastic tub to attach the herpstat probe to then attach it to the uth is this a good idea to do? Right now I just have the probe taped to either the pad or the tape with electrical tape. I am getting correct temps inside my main concern is the uth being so high when the herpstat is set far below what the uth is getting to.