I just got my first ball python a few days ago. My husband was buying crickets at the local PetSmart and saw an ad about an 'aggressive' python up for adoption. I didn't plan to get it that day, but when I went in to look at it, it had a badly retained shed, and was in a completely dry tub. When I asked, they said they wouldn't soak it because it was too 'aggressive' afterwards.
So I ended up taking it home with me and getting the shed off (not an aggressive snake at all). I don't like picking up reptiles without having the setup ready beforehand, but she was already breathing hard and I figured she'd be better off in a not-ideal enclosure for a few days than keeping that shed on.
Right now, she's in a rubbermaid tub with a water dish, and a flowerpot hide with sphagnum moss inside. I heard they liked to have an area of high humidity, so I put that in there.

My question is mainly about heating. I'm about to order another thermostat to regulate a heat pad for her. I was wondering if adhesive UTHs are okay to use for plastic tubs as long as they are regulated? I'd like her long-term housing to be a typical rubbermaid type tub.
Also, what is a good hot spot temp for her? I've read several different recommendations...

My reptile room stays around 80-82 ambient temp during the day, and around 77 at night. So she's not freezing, but I know those temps are too low to keep her at long-term.