Hi, I just got my first ball python. I decided to go with using a snake tank 20 gallon with a screen top. I do have a couple of problems I was hoping you guys can help me solve. My hot side is not staying hot. The substrate I am using is coconut husk (expandable dirt) because I heard it helps a lot with humidity and considering I live in az I need all the help I can get. However, only the spot under the hide I have is staying warm. I have a probe on top of the glass where the uth is and it reads 101 but the substrate is not anywhere near that temp. It actually barely even feels warm. I was wondering if maybe I am using too much substrate? I have about an inch and a half or maybe even two of substrate in my tank.
Back to just the hot side. I have a deep dome lamp should I replace the blue bulb (100 watt) with a CHE bulb to help maintain the heat or maybe a bigger uth? Have any of you used this in your tank? Also I put duck tape over the screen top to help hold in humidity and it seems to be working okay according to the hygrometer but when I stick my hand in there it doesn't feel to different than the humidity outside the tank. I just want honey (bp) to be in the right conditions. What should I do? I'm still new to this.