Hey thanks for the response. I do have the top covered (1/2) with foil and a towel over that. I like the thermostat idea with the UTH, I should have been a little more specific, I can get the tank to the right temp (depending on the care sheet) and maintain pretty well for the most part, and will certainly be able to do so with a UTH though that will change my lighting set up. The snake is ready to go today which is unfortunate, but I thought I'd be ready with a week between setup and arrival plus I'm on days off for the next 3 days so I'll be home all the time for the next 3.

As you said the ambient room temp is the game changer. That is always going to be the hard part. I'm confident tonight will be OK. My biggest concern is when we take our trip in late summer. I read up on the thermostats and like the one you mentioned.

I was also looking at Thermax foam sheets as a possible insulator, but they are ugly as hell and more bulky that I'd like. I suppose 1 in the back would be OK if I had a nice backdrop between it and the tank wall. Even the bottom would be an idea as it is fire rated and probably would never be tested by the UTH.

I'll keep you posted and come crying if I've FUBAR'd the whole thing.

I have photos on my I-phone of the setup, but I'm old and not sure how to post them here. I have a Photobucket account if those are still cool.

As of right now I have a 92 hot side temp 2.5 inches off the deck, and 82 center floor temp, and an 80 cool side temp 2.5 inches up. This is about what I get daily UNLESS, we have the windows open and it gets hot outside, then the tank heats more, obviously. When we have to switch to indoor AC is when the energy gets sucked out. I'm hoping the UTH will solve the problem.

Sound OK for the night? Also do the blue bulbs put out heat? I want one that does so we can use it in concert with the UTH.