My finished product!!

[kreaturekeeper]

ok another factor i may not have taken into consideration is I use the coconut husk bedding which you have to soak to expand and it is still quite damp. Maybe its just taking a while to heat up the cool moist bedding?
Temps seem to be going up quite a bit when put on top of hide

[Gungirl]

Yes if the bedding is cool and damp it might take a while to get warm. This is why I wanted to see what the temp was on top of the hide. You do want to get the temp in the hide correct but I wanted to see what the temp was reading closer to the heat panel. The hide or substraight should never feel hot/warm to you though. Your body temp is higher than what you want to give your animal for a basking spot.

[kreaturekeeper]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

The hide or substraight should never feel hot/warm to you though. Your body temp is higher than what you want to give your animal for a basking spot.

Ya this is true..
well after a while I am reading 90.8F on hot side and 78F on cool (on top of hides) so Im sure it will warm up eventually :S Ill keep you posed though.
Thanks for the tip. I feel a little better now.
It still should be much hotter than what I'm getting without a thermostat but it is most likely the damp bedding that is throwing it off...
i'll have to be patient.. haha thanks for the help everyone!!
I love this forum.

[Gungirl]

I wouldn't worry about it getting hotter as long as it gets as hot as you need it to. Set up the thermostat and let it run for another 2 days then insert snake and enjoy..lol

[kreaturekeeper]

Thanks gun girl!
Ill be patient and put a pic of my girl in her new tank when the time is right

[Terranaut]

Ambient room temps play a huge roll as well(didn't read every post not sure if it was mentioned) if my reptile room drops at all my heat panels are on alot more.
I keep the room 75-77. At 70 the panels are always on.