another noob, is my setup correct?

[Chappy4o]

X2^^^^^^
also your Probe needs to be on the glass above the UTH so you know what the HOT SPOT Basking temp is (ideal 88-91).

my probe is a hydrometer not a thermometer hence the central location

I cant tell from a pic but your snake looks to long for those hides..

thats what i was thinking

all those temps you mentioned are low but im wondering if your measuring them wrong. Those UTH get 140 without being run on a dimmer or JumpStart thermistat. You have to regulate heat sources, snakes die like that.

dont really see any other way to measure it, point my temp gun at surface i want to measure and press the button . . . .

Keep substrate thin where Hot Spot is.

hmmm. . . . im betting that is my problem, there is quite a bit of eco earth and moss in there