Using the mat stat because I can't be arsed changing it, even though I said I would... I decided that I'm too frustrated. XD However I've got the thermostat set to about 97F and I am getting 91-91.4F, though it might rise higher, I'm going to wait. What I have is no substrate, no hide, no water bowl and no arched log... I have used foil tape to tape the probe to the floor of the tub ( because my snake will bury himself in the aspen if he wants to get warm inside the hide ) and I am closely monitoring the temperature. If it goes above 92.5F, I'll kick the thermostat down a notch. I think that's how I am going to solve this problem.