Heating issues

[Homebody]

I’m sure you looked through my pics and saw my thermostat probe is hanging about 5-6 inches below the panel. Do you have a better recommendation on somewhere to place it?

No. I don't. I use an 80w VE RHP and mine is 2-3" below the panel tied to a fake flower stem. That is what the instructions on my panel said to do and it works for me. As long as yours is secure and properly regulates your temps, I'm sure there are a lot of different ways you can do it.