Yikes. Ok... So my first two babies arrive in two days and I'm already panicking. My whole life I've wanted snakes and for the past few years have looked into a breeding program and now I'm finally taking steps to make this happen, but I don't want to screw things up before I even start.

Firstly, I'm broke, living in a really small apartment with two other people, so before anyone starts in about multi enclosures and seperate room keeping, please keep in mind that I'm fresh out of college and am on a very limited budget.

I set up the kids' tank today (a big 40 gallon fish tank I found on craigslist). It's divided down the middle with covered plexiglass, giving my girl and boy their own space. I've got cypress substrate, climbing branches, a hot hide and a cool side.

My problem is heating. I've read so much on the subject and I'm getting a LOAD of mixed messages. I know the ambient temperature should be around 80-84 with a basking temp of around 90. So far I have UTH Zoo Med medium sized for either side of the tank and a dual light with 75 watt infrared bulbs which provide heat to both sides of the divider. The only trouble is even with those two things combined I can only acheive like 86 degrees at the basking site. I'm measuring under the hide with a probed digital thermometer. Obviously an issue.

I plan on buying a thermostat and upgrading to a 100 watt incandescent on either side to try and boost the heat levels. Does this sound like the solution I need or should I be trying to do something else?

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated.