Need a solution to maintain temperatures

[Eric Alan]

Yes, I have have the zoomed temp gauge/humidity gauge 2 in 1 thats stuck on the glass. I just looked at a "how to set up a glass tank" sticky and I saw that the digital temp gauge probe is taped underneath the heat pad, so tomorrow I'm going to try that.

Incorrect. The thermostat probe is taped underneath the heat pad (the Hygrofarm brand in the guide). The thermostat is the one that controls the temperature. A thermometer is what tells you what the temperature is (the Accurite brand one in the guide). Its probe is placed inside of your tank on top of the heat mat to tell you the temperature of the glass where your animals can actually touch. Please do not confuse the two and tape your thermometer probe underneath the heat pad, as they perform very different functions. On a similar note, please do not use anything sticky inside the tank itself. Adhesive + scales = a very scary situation.

I do not have a thermostat and the moment. Is it necessary? If so I'll have to wait another week to get 2 of them when I get paid. I made the mistake of buying everything at once including the snakes. Let's just say next time I'll be smarter about it.

The thermostat is the most important piece of equipment you can buy for your animals. Without one, the heat mats can reach temperatures that are too hot for your snakes and potentially cause them harm. Yes, even the small heat mats. The set-up guide recommends a few different ones (depending on your price range) that will serve you well.

If the heat mat isn't big enough for my tanks, will the thermostat raise the temperature of the heat mat?

A thermostat will not raise the temperature any further than a heat mat by itself is capable of reaching. The size of the heat mat simply increases the size of the hot spot. Regardless of the heat mat chosen, they all require a thermostat to control their output.