I have to heat my flexwatt to 100 to get the tub's substrate to 90. Is that normal?

[spaceturtle]

My surface temps are 90 and 80 hot/cool with an ambient of about 82. I use paper towels as my substrate too. I'm also using a rack system with 3 inch tape controlled by a helix proportional thermostat. I don't believe the part of the tub that touches my snake ever exceeds 95 degrees; with my substrate temps never going past 92.

I would venture to guess that your ambient room temps are too cold. I had to insulate the exposed portions of my tubs in my rack in order to correct my issues I had with my thermostat settings.

Anyone else want to chime in?

You are probably right. My ambient temp is about 72-75 since that's the room temp in my apartment. I know it's too low but I don't want to heat the entire room for just 1 snake. Too much wattage / electricity cost. What I plan to do is get an UTH / dimmer for warming the cool side. Until then I just want to keep my snake warmed to 90 so he can digest the big mouse I gave him last night.

Also, do your surface/substrate temps match your under tub temps?