This is what I have,so far....

OK,,my viv goes a little something like this; 30 gal.tank,,1 1/2" to 2" of coconut bark substrate(like the look better),2 small plants and a snake cave on the cool side,water dish and log in center,another log and rock and hide on the warm side.Looks really good,but no snake to crawl around in it yet.
I set up my UTH on the tank last night.With the digital probe laying on the surface,the reading hit 81.1,,when I checked it this morning,around 4 am.it was down to 79.5.the house was at 68.I turned it on to see how hot the tank was going to get on the warm end.Now the tank is set up on the floor.Its on top of 2, 2"x4" , so its about 1 1/2" off the carpet.Should I cover the top screen a bit to try to hold in some of the heat,or maybe put the probe a bit down in the substrate ?.When I slide my hand under the tank and feel the UTH,,it feels very warm.
What do you guys think ?.

I'd place the probe down a bit in the substrate, just to make sure at glass level it's not too hot, as they like to burrow thru the substrate when they can. Covering the top will help to hold humidity in, too.

Sounds like your setup is ready for a new inhabitant

:eek1: OH CCRRAAAPPPPP !!!!,I put the probe down at the bottom of the tank...108 deg.What the hell should I do with this ?.A thermostat will get the temp down at the glass level,BUT on the surface where the snake will be resting,,won't be CLOSE TO 82 -85 degres es.
How do I fix this.....HELP :eek1:

set the temperature using the probe against the glass. The snake will thermoregulate by burrowing down, but they burrow anyway and if the glass is too hot can burn themselves.
You're doing the right thing getting the glitches out of the way before you get the snake

I work at getting the temp right,,at the bottom of the tank.If I have to,I'll cover up some of the top,to help hold in some of the heat.

Erm, I think the probe thing should be clarified in the FAQ? It just says "on the substrate." I seem to hear a range of placements, from the surface to the glass. I can pretty much guarantee my temperatures are going to be hot down below, but I usually see Severus on the surface on the warm side, or just barely into the substrate. I think he burrows more on the cool side, if anywhere. But he's changing his habits regularly on me. Grrr.