First I'd new to these forums and would like to say HI. Next I recently bought a ball python from petco. First I'm having a hard time regulating the temperature. I have the zilla starter kit. 10 gallon tank, heat pad, and 40 watt heat light. I need some advise on how to set up the cage. I have put the hide over the heat pad area but it gets up to 98 degrees in there and Im afraid that that is to hot, although the snake doesn't leave the hide. I figure that it would move if it was getting to hot. Another thing is I can't get the ambient temp to go above 80-84 during the day and at nigh it gets down to 69-73, but I still have the heating pad. I bought a zoomed rheostat to try and regulate the heat pad but that didn't work it never seemed to hold it close to 90. should I get a higher wattage bulb? Any advise u can give me would be great. Band of products and such. I plan on building a custom enclosure. Thanks sorry if this is a novel. LOL.