Newbie BP set up questions

Hi!

So a friend of mine is moving, and I am taking his BP(m, about 2ish ft). This is my first snake!

I have a tank(mesh top), some hides, a water area, some foliage & a backdrop (on the outside).

I also have a UTH, a Hygrometer w/ probe, thermometer, and decided on cypress substrate with some moss for under a hide to help with humidity.

So, my questions are:

-Where is the best place for the UTH if I place it under the tank? In the middle? On the cold or hot side?
-Do I need a thermostat? Could someone recommend an affordable one please if yes!
-What is the best way to mount the hygrometer outside the tank and the probe inside?
-Should there be a thermometer and humidity gauge on the cool and warm sides of the tank?
-How thick of a layer should the substrate be? I don't want my little guy to burn himself on the UTH (Which would make a thermostat useful I guess.)
-Is a temp gun useful? How do I use it?

-Also, thoughts on live vs. thawed food? He is on live right now, and I would like to keep it that way. I was reading online and some people have issues with live harming their BP i guess?



That's all the questions I can think of now! Thanks everyone <3

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psqcouxfgn.jpg

You need a thermostat, PERIOD.

What was your friend feeding this snake?

Ok! http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-hobbystat is this type ok?

If the temp is stable with my lights, can I house the BP (whose name is going to be Severus Sneck) in his tank while i get the thermostat?

He is on live right now, and I would like to keep it that way. But I was reading online and some people have issues with live harming their BP i guess?

Also, love the picture!

Question, the basking light and ceramic heater.....is the ceramic heater for night? And the basking light for day?

Is there a thread with lighting suggestions?

Here is a decent, cheap thermostat that I have used with no issues.

Jump Start MTPRTC, Digital ETL-Certified Heat Mat Thermostat for Seed Germination, Reptiles and Brewing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZZG3S..._A-NGyb2GYRW8V

A temp gun is highly recommended. Use it daily to monitor both the hot and cool side. You really do not need both the ceramic heater and a basking light if you're using a UTH. I think switching those on and off will make the temps too unstable. I would use just the ceramic heater and snag a cheap led bulb for light because they won't put out much heat. That way when you shut the light off at night, it won't affect the temps in the enclosure.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Yes you can use just overhead heat, the CHE will be fine as long as your temperatures are in a good range.
There is no "set" lighting thread just because not everyone's house is not the same.
There is no problem with live feeding as long as you do it correctly. Throwing a large rat in and walking away is not the right way.
You want to supervise your feeding and make sure the rodent is cared for as well.

Question about having the probe in the substrate!

Should it be in the corner under the substrate? or in the middle on the hot side??

Which probe?
The thermometer probe monitors the hottest surface your animal can touch.