First off, I wouldn't mix aspen and co-co husk, that is just asking for mold issues.
If your substrate layer is that thick don't bother with the heat tape idea. Heat tape can't heat through substrate layers that thick safely. You need to keep substrate layers no thicker than 1/2" when using UTH's.
I honestly would look into a radiant heat panel, or making the cage shorter. All of that internal volume is very difficult to heat.
You said that the cage is 24" tall but the heat lamp is only 14" from the basking site. Is the heat lamp actually inside the cage? If so have you screened it off so the snakes can't come into direct contact with the bulb?
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