well my "wall" temp is almost always 78, the thermometer that always changes is the one level with the top of my dwc system, under the direct light of the hid. the temp changes when I move the light.

Update:
Today I performed the following functions to attempt to save my plants (theyre starting to look really bad, yellow, burn, spots, etc)
1. covered resevoir with black plastic, including cover
2. brought resevoir temp down from 80+ to 72 average, highest temp 74
3. added air pump and two stones to resevoir

prior to upgrades I added 1/4 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide 3% to resevoir, ran for 10 min, emptied, added 2 gallons, another 1/4 hydrogen peroxide, ran for 10 min, then added 5.75 ph water, 75% nutes, 4 drops of superthrive. i also flushed each of the root zones with solution, washed resevoir with hydrogen peroxide, cleaned out tubing. While cleaning I observed a brown/orange almost algee type stuff on the tubes, roots, etc. the substance did not smell nor was it slimey. Also when I was cleaning the roots I was expecting them to rip right off, they did not. The roots are still very strong and do not tear easily. As a matter of fact I don't think ANY roots fell off.

Plants still look horrible. Still look over watered..... I dunno, I'm running out of theories......