Where are you reading that temp? Not all heat goes through the glass and substrate, so you'll need the thermostat set higher to get the temps where you want at the hot spot. Also, the UTH only heats the surface just above it. It does nothing to provide ambient temps through the tank. You need a heat lamp all the time, not just during the day. If the light bothers you, you can switch over to a CHE instead of a bulb.