Help! I’m trying my best. :(

[Homebody]

Despite my efforts, the enclosures aren't reaching the proper temperature levels. The temperature remains inadequate even after trying techniques like covering the screen tops with tin foil. When I tried placing two DHPs in one enclosure, it did get warmer, but unfortunately, it also led to excessive dryness.

First, I agree with the commenters above who said that moving these young ball pythons from tubs to larger enclosures is premature. I will add I don't think that putting them into these large enclosures is ever going to be a good idea. Ball pythons need high heat and humidity. These enclosures won't hold either. You can jerry-rig them into something adequate, but it's going to be a struggle, as you've already seen. I would recommend solid top enclosures heated with RHPs.

[Bogertophis]

I looked up Ecoflex- I don't see any reason, since they've already been purchased, that the screen tops cannot be modified- also the side vents can be covered as needed (some of them seem to have more side vents than others do). I'm one of those people that have modified all sorts of furniture to accommodate snakes, & I'm certainly no carpenter- just some basic skills. You can also go to any lumber/hardware store with measurements needed & they will cut your desired materials to fit your project. So I wouldn't be so quick to reject what the OP has purchased- but there's just no immediate need for them while these snakes are so small & young. Plenty of time to equip & then dial in the proper temps & humidity, & test, & then furnish them. Admittedly the 2' height will be a challenge- heating all that air makes it much harder, but they could put in a false floor, or a lowered ceiling to reduce the air space or to further insulate.

[Caitlin]

I have 4x2x2 enclosures with DHP as well as enclosures with RHP or heat panels. Your 80W DHP should do fine with the 4x2x2 Eco-flex enclosures.....they are budget-friendly while also being pretty nice enclosures.

How long ago did you set up the DHP? It can take a DHP several days to settle into a stable temperature output. DHP also need to have temperature probes placed correctly. The probe should be placed a few inches outside of the main area of the beam of heat.

What are your enclosure temps and how are they being measured?

DHP do not work like lamps, releasing energy quickly that warms air. They push energy into 'things' like decoration/terrain. Just like the sun, it takes time for objects to become energized and to have enough energy to release to warm the air. So DHP function best when they are allowed to heat like the sun - set up some stacks of slate or other flat rocks under the DHP beam. The DHP energizes objects like the slate or rock that then either use that energy or release it back into the environment as IR-C which does warm the air.

I'd say try to get the DHP set up optimally before you decide it's not for you. Fiddle around with rock stacks, logs, plants, and probe placement. Measure both surface temps (with a laser temp gun) and air temps. But there are other very workable options including using the DHP to maintain temps at night while also using something like a 50W halogen flood for daytime temps plus exposure to the nice full spectrum light the snake will enjoy. RHP are OK too but they are basically a heat mat that is installed on the ceiling, so it's better to add a good UVB bulb, as you are planning.

I'm going to go a bit against some of the other advice here (don't worry, this is a mutually respectful group and we don't all agree on every detail all of the time and that's OK!) and say that your little snakes should be just fine in a 4x2x2 AS LONG AS they are provided with a selection of snug hides and lots of clutter so that they can opt to be partly or entirely sheltered.

Snakes kept long-term (as in, through adulthood) in racks typically need a thoughtful and gradual introduction to larger enclosures rather than just plopping them into a 4x2x2 and then deciding they 'can't adjust' to a large enclosure. With time and patience and a step-by-step process, even long-term rack snakes can absolutely blossom behavior-wise once they are provided with a more enriched environment. Since you are starting with youngsters you won't need to worry about that. At most, a very young snake may need to be provided with a little tub INSIDE the 4x2x2 so that the baby can hang out in the tub if they prefer, and then explore the larger enclosure as they feel ready to do so. But many young snakes don't even need that as long as you make sure they have plenty of little hides and clutter.

Your little guys will be fine in the rack for now. Just be sure to give them gentle, safe opportunities to interact regularly with the world outside of the rack, even if it just means that you open the rack up and let them just sit there and look out, or let them climb out and explore a bit. Give them new objects to explore in the rack about once a week, even if it is something as simple as a small cardboard box or a rock or some plastic vines. In the meantime, take your time and get their 'forever' homes set up. You've got this.

[Homebody]

I have 4x2x2 enclosures with DHP as well as enclosures with RHP or heat panels. Your 80W DHP should do fine with the 4x2x2 Eco-flex enclosures....they are budget-friendly while also being pretty nice enclosures.

I stand corrected and defer to Caitlin as she has more experience with both DHPs and Ecoflex enclosures.

[Caitlin]

I stand corrected and defer to Caitlin as she has more experience with both DHPs and Ecoflex enclosures.

Let me hasten to say that Ecoflex are definitely not a top of the line enclosure. However they can absolutely be a good enclosure even given the temp and humidity needs of a Royal python. Part of the reason I have tried to learn the adjustments needed to make them work for a Royal python is that because they are budget-friendly AND are available through the big chain pet stores, they offer a real opportunity to get more snakes out of inadequate enclosures and into a 4x2x2.

I have definitely seen PVC enclosures that I think are garbage (including some pretty high-priced ones) but the Ecoflex, while not top of the line, is not a bad option at all.