Many people from particularly cold places (read "ambient temps consistently below 75ºF"), use that same method.
For a tub setup, that might be your best option, since you have everything properly connected to thermostats.
Another option is to actually warm the room your snake is in.
Now since it was, as you said "an unexpected purchase", if you want, you can share some more information regarding your husbandry (size of the tub, hides, temps, probe placement, etc.) and we can help you really dial it in so you can provide the best enclosure to your new slithery buddy.
P.S.: Since you said you have experience with geckos and hognoses, don't forget to quarantine him from your other reptiles
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