Okay, I'll adjust the tape, I do have the probe covered. Although I figured that even with it covered, it should have still atleast gotten the probe to read the "desired" temperature.

I will try soldering the wires to the heat tape later today. I went ahead and added the bedding to the enclosure to hopeful hold in more heat.

I'm measuring the temperature of the heat tape with the temperature probe connected to the thermostat. And the temperature in the tub with one of those sticker thermometers.

The room temperature is between 65-70. The house is heated to 70, but the rack is in an addition that has no direct heat. Meaning the room has a doorway that allows heat from the house in, but no heat vents. I would very much prefer having them in that room. Although if nothing else works, I can move the rack upstairs to my room which is warmer. This would be inconvenient thought as the mice are downstairs and cleaning up after the snakes would require trips downstairs. This is "doable" seeing as I only have 7 snakes at the moment, but will definitely become a chore once I start getting more. Also this rack is solid, I kind of went crazy when designing this. It weighs a lot, so moving it upstairs is not very appealing.