Exo-Terra tank screen vs. heat lamp questions

[SpacegirlSpiff]

Hello

I am currently using an Exo-Terra 24 x 18 x 12 (Medium Low) terrarium for my 5 month old ball python, which has a screen top and two plastic cross beams (making 4 quadrants).

My heat set up is that I use a UTH (controlled by Jump Start brand T-stat), and also a lower watt heat lamp to keep ambient temps in check. I live in SoCal so it doesn't get too cold (although right now, overnight it has been getting pretty chilly so sometimes I'll swap for a bit higher watt)... so during the day, I've found the happy spot to be UTH t-stat set at 95*F in combo with a 40w heat bulb. Keeps hot side within the range 88-91 and cool side around 80-81 this way .... night time I'm still experimenting to keep it from dropping too low, but not overheat either....figure getting the dimmer switch on a higher-watt will help me have more control there (and one is currently being shipped to me) .... but anyway..

Also, for the heat bulbs, I am actually switching between two of them on a 12/12 cycle - day and then moonlight (heat only, no UV). I know day is not necessary usually, however her placement in my living room is very dark and gets absolutely no sunlight hitting from a window so, that's why I decided to use a light instead so that there's some sort of day/night pattern

Since I use two bulbs, I am using the Zoo Med mini double-dome that way I can just easily switch between the two lights. This is where I run into a bit of annoyance though with the exo-terra top ...

Since there are plastic cross beams on top of the screen, I have to kind of wedge the light fixture into one of the quadrants so that it's not resting on the plastic, otherwise it will melt... it works if I kind of tilt it diagonally and then wedge it in, but it's a pain to deal with. ALSO, I wanted to get a light stand to hang it on instead that way it's not pressed against the screen constantly

My question is - If I use a stand to hang the light over the top, will the light hovering over still melt the plastic?? Basically, I'm not sure what a safe distance is -- does anyone else have a similar set up? (either with light or CHE?) ....should I not use the stand?

OR even better -- is there an all-screen top that fits on these exo-terras that I could replace it with so I dont have to worry about the plastic at all?

Thanks for any insight!