Hey guys! I'm new here and looking for some advice.
I'm getting my first ball python tomorrow (actually, my first reptile! I've had fish, cats and dogs but never a reptile!) and will also be getting my setup tomorrow.

I will be getting this aquarium from petsmart: http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo
I figure since it is low but wide and long it would make a good home for my new snake! I will be using a screen top and know that it might be difficult to maintain humidity, but I read online a method of putting a damp towel on top of half of the screen to help maintain humidity. Would this be a good long-term home for the snake? I am hoping to buy something big enough for him (I don't actually know if I'm getting a guy yet but i hope to!) to grow into, rather than having to buy new housing and move him every time he grows.

Also, with where I am living now, I can't use a UTH. I've seen a few instances of these burning wood when the enclosure is kept on it, and since the only place I have to keep him is on top of a dresser that my grandmother has owned since before I was born, I absolutely can't risk burning the wood. I was planning on using black heating lamps and changing out the wattage until I can get the proper heat gradient going. Would this be sufficient, as long as I can get the temperatures appropriate? I will be able to get a metal stand for the terrarium when I go to grad school next August and move out, but until then I don't have space. I've also heard stories about malfunctions causing the UTHs to get really hot and burn the snake, so I'm very wary of using one if I can get away with not using it.

I am planning to get reptile carpet for the enclosure (http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo) It seems like the best option to keep the substrate clean and avoid impaction or substrate getting into the digestive tract during feeding. Since I will be feeding him in his enclosure (I've done a lot of reading about this and unless I'm having real problems with feeding him in the enclosure I don't plan on moving him to feed to avoid the risk of a regurg) it seems like the easiest option for me. Has anyone used this or something similar? Is it a good idea or are natural substrates better?

Is there a certain size his water bowl should be? I want to get a larger one to help maintain humidity (obviously still small enough that he could hang out on the cool side without soaking) but I know their hides should be just the right size for them and am not sure about the water bowl. Could I keep another water bowl on the hot side? It seems like keeping water on the hot side (which would obviously result in more evaporation) would definitely help in maintaining humidity since I am going to have a screen top. Would that make a problem for the snake? I am very concerned about humidity because I am not sure how well the reptile carpet will retain/evaporate water.


Phew! Ok that's all I can remember right now. Any advice you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!!