Hey all... so I decided recently that I want a ball python (I like those pastel Mojave's). I've been researching, reading, researching some more and my head hurts from all the stuff I've been reading. I figured I'd post up what I'm thinking and maybe see if I'm even on the right track or not. I want to get a set-up in place for a while so I can make sure I'm able to get the temps and humidity where it needs to be and keep it there before I go introducing an animal to it. I think that will be easier on me and the snake.

Here is what I'm thinking:

T8 enclosure with the following:
- Sliding glass doors
- Door lock
- Divider
- Flexwatt bottom heater
- LED lights (I read I can call/email them to add this option)

So... I know I'll need a few more things...

- Water dish (not worried about finding this)
- hides (matching for hot/cool sides not too worried about finding this)
- Thermometer (2 or three, at least one with a probe for the bottom heater)
- Humidity gauge (Like the Walmart 2 in 1 perhaps?)
- Substrate... I'll probably start out with paper towels or a roll of paper. I like the aspen, but that seems hard on the humidity.

Now, the big question... will I need additional heat for the ambient temperature? My house is very very old and it gets drafty and cool... to the mid 60's at times. I'm not sure if I need a hole cut in the top of the cage for a ceramic heater, or if I should look at getting one of the radiant heat panels and put that in the top of the cage? If I do that, the height of the cage decreases. Is that bad?

This leads me to my next question... if I have two heat sources, I need two thermostats correct? I know the Herpstat ones seem to be the popular choice, but is there anything else... or is $200 par for the course for a two thermostat setup?

Am I missing anything else??