So I'm going to be getting my first ball python in the coming months and this is what I have for his setup. I'm going to get a male normal or pastel.

For his housing I'm going to use a 16 qt sterilite tub until he's big enough for a 28 qt.

For substrate I will be using newspaper.

I am going to use reptile basics hides, one smalle for the 16 qt and a medium for the 28 qt. And an appropraitely sized water bowl. I am going to put crumpled up newspaper and an extra folded sheet on the cool side for cover.

For heating I will be using a 6x11 ultratherm under tank heat mat. I am going to monitor the temp and humidity with a digital dual thermo/hygro.

That's about it for my setup. Any suggestions or tips?