So, after a lot of work convincing my mom who's terrified of mice to let me own a snake that I've been begging for since I was 8 years old I finally got her to agree! Woo! So many times I had to tell her that she wouldn't even see them.. haha. So, over the past month I've been trying to prepare, reading tons and tons of guides, information on care, feeding, temperature ect. ect. ect. I've read so many forum posts on this forum, and so many guides and opinions from people that I'm at a point of confusion.. I at this point know all the basics but I really need help in finding out what SPECIFIC supplies to buy, and some general questions on how certain things work.

I'll try to be as detailed as possible but if I need to include anything else for you to give me an accurate answer please let me know.

1. I live in Florida, and it's quite hot and humid since I live right nearby the beach. On an average day it normally ranges in the 90's on heat and it can be pretty hot in my room on some days, so I don't know if that should play a part in what I set my temperatures to in the rub, so if anyone could direct me there that would be awesome.

2. From personal experience I'd like to know of specific brands of Heating pads that work well for a Ball. I've seen lots of recommendations but some have lead me to things like Zoo med.. which have dreadful reviews. And some lead me to others that have iffy reviews.. I've yet to find anything that is actually set in stone good online. Links would be awesome but just a name should be fine.

3. I'd also like to know what things to gauge the heat and humidity I should be buying. People have said that the cheaper stuff will do the job fine but they aren't as reliable. I've seen people say I need thermostats, digital thermometers, hygrometers and more so some concrete information on the bare bones of what I need, and how I'd need to set it up and put it in my rub is what I need to know! My parents are okay with spending money, but I don't wanna break the bank and come to them telling them I'm going to be spending $500 for all the supplies I need for my snake on top of the snake price and my mom end up changing her mind because it's already on thin ice, so extremely expensive options are really not an option for me and I'd prefer to stick on the cheaper side if possible, but if I absolutely need something expensive to keep my snake in good health please inform me, because if so and my parent's aren't okay with it I'd much rather pass up on this chance than have a poor little snake that doesn't have what it needs in it's new loving home.

4. I plan on using 2 of those black plastic hides since they look perfect for a snug fit so he feels secure and not one of those logs or rock hides, and newspaper since it seems like the easiest to clean. So because of this I don't really know what I can do to put in the cage to help with shedding.. or if I even need something for that since only half of people even recommend it in care guides. I've seen some rocky water bowls and I think that might do the job so I'd just like to know what I might need for that or if a rocky water bowl will do the trick.

5. I don't know if there are any places that carry rats nearby so I think it'd be best to buy mice in bulk, there are plenty of petco's and places of that sort but on their websites they dont seem to supply rodent food, only the snakes.. how do they feed them even?.. lol, anyways was wondering if LLLReptile is a reputable place to buy mice in bulk or if I should look elsewhere, their supply and recommendation of zoo med stuff scared me away a bit since they are so badly reviewed. Also, on the subject of mice in bulk, for a young ball python, 5 gram fuzzy mice should be fine for the first 50 meals correct? I'm fairly certain but just because I'm here asking questions, might as well know for certain from someone of knowledge.

Sorry for the wall of text!
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to help out this newbie I'd appreciate it soooo much! <3