I bought my first snake, Uro, a few days ago, and while he's comfortably housed for the time being, I want to start looking now for the next size up, cage wise. Currently he's only about a month and a half old, and he's in a 10 gallon tank. I understand that I eventually should get a 30 for him, but am told that getting a tank that big for him right now may be to much space for him and could make him feel uncomfortable?

If that is the case then I am looking at a 20 gallon for the time being for him and I was just wondering if there's a really good place to go for inexpensive tanks (most of the ones I see are 60 bucks or more).

If it isn't the case and I can just get my python a 30 gallon tank, then the same question applies. Also, I want to make sure I'm doing EVERYTHING right, so a question on under tank heaters. I was told by a pet shop employee who breeds Ball Pythons and Bearded Dragons that its normally a good idea to stay away from under tank heaters with pythons simply because the snakes don't sense heat on their undersides to well as their sensors are on the top of their maw/heads, so currently I'm using heat lamps. I just wanted to cross check this info, I thought it'd be alot easier to have a UTH.

Lastly, I'm also looking for a good place to buy hides. Some of the ones I've seen at pet stores look very bad for ball pythons as they are made of a heavy material that'll absorb the heat but not really cool down so if my python were to lay on the top he could get burned. So I guess I need to know what materials to stay away from as well as what materials to get if I have the option.

I suppose I'm a 'worrying parent' as this is my first snake, but honestly I'd wrather be over concerned and getting to much information then neglecting my 'baby'.

Thanks so much, I look forward to being educated!