Quote Originally Posted by sirj View Post
My t-stat probe is placed between the uth and the glass on the outside. I do have an internal probe thermometer on the inside secured with hot glue over the glass that the uth heats so that I can keep track of that temp as well.

I do not have the sides and back insulated. I didn't even think about that! Should I wrap a towel/blanket around the sides?

I really can't afford a thermostat as expensive as the herpstat 1 right now, on top of having just bought my snake and everything she needs. I will try insulating her tank and see if that helps. I'm also going to buy a timer from walmart for the heat lamp so I don't have to keep turning it up and down myself.
IMHO messing with insulating the outside of the tank is not practical. Its is not likely to influence the temp more than a degree or so, and the thought of towels and heating elements in close proximity scares me, and doesn't look great. Try a 50w red heat bulb. You can keep this on 24/7 if needed, as snakes do not see this spectrum of color. In a 10G tank, you can actually let this lamp stay in the middle of the tank or only slightly to the cooler side. If she has a hide on both sides, she has ample opportunity to thermo-regulate by laying in the light for more heat, or in the hide for a little less. In addition, the 50w light covering the whole tank, may allow you to lower your uth thermostat slightly.

One other trick I used before switching to tubs, I put my uth on a ceramic tile, so the heating element itself was only touching glass, or tile, which meant fire was impossible. Overheat could still occur, with failed stat, but if you are monitoring, you should catch it.

Fiddle with it, and be patient. You will find right formula.