I just wanted to give a "shout out to my new homies" here at ball-pythons.net for all the help, suggestions, advice, and just general welcoming-friendly-happy-good-fellings you sent my way.
Stumbling upon this website has been one of the most wonderful resources for information I've ever accidently found!
I've got my tank all set up with good heating and foliage and meters, and it's been holding low 80s ambient air temperature for a number of hours, humidity has been varying between 50-60%(dipped down to 46% for a few minutes according to my hygrometer, but then went up again without me doing anything), warm side of the substrate has leveled off at 88.
I'm pretty surprised how "perfect" the temp/humidity is at this moment, I guess it just goes to show how valuable your advice is, guys!