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When using a UTH, where do you want to measure the temperature? Inside the hide on the warm side or at the top of the substrate?
I'm trying to provide 85F at the warm side for a new purchased Spotted python. The temperature in my house is about 78F. If I set the rheostat to have the top of the substrate at 85F, the temperature inside the hide is at 90F or a bit above. If I turn it down so the inside of the hide is at 85F, the substrate surface is nearly room temperature - i.e., I have a warm hide, not a warm side.

deg

I measure on top of the substrate for temps with my temp gun. Then with a digital therm i put it inside a hide.

Leopard gecko cage:
Digital therm inside warm side hide- 82.3
Temp gun inside warm side hide- 93.2

When using a UTH/heat pad the substrate will always be warmer than the air temp. Even when using heat holding hides like terra cotta flower pot bases.

Blood python cage:
Digital therm inside warm side hide- 85.1
Temp gun inside warm side hide- 91.7

If you have a temp gun use that to figure out your substrate temps. If you don't put the probe of the digital thermometer in the substrate and see what it reads.
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0.1 Leopard gecko's
0.0.1 Ball Python's
0.1 blood python's
0.1.1 Crested Geckos

I personally put the probe directly on the element. Doing it this way will allow you to not have an altered reading if the snake burrows, poops, pees or just moves the probe. Just put the probe on the UTH and then take your readings from inside the cage where the hotspot is and adjust the themrostat as needed.
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