Need advice on new cage set up, trying to choose and do it right

[JenMo]

Looking for guidance, this is my shopping list, with questions. Tips, recommendations, thoughts... all welcome.

Story: We brought home a 2+ year old pied (our first snake) this last weekend who had spent his whole life with a reptile breeder in his shop. The cage he's in at our house, is exactly like what he's spent his whole life in, a top opening, particle board box with glass front, complete with exposed light bulbs and without a UTH. Our house is a bit colder than the shop and his cage is not insulated between all the other cages the way it was at the shop, so I'm afraid we're not able to maintain temp.

This current setup just feels all wrong to me and this snake deserves the best. Trying to research as much as possible but would love a critique on what I've come up with.


I love the look and simplicity of the cages at showcase cages (http://www.showcasecages.com/cage_details.htm), so unless someone can give me a compelling reason why they would be a bad choice, I'm basing my shopping list on one of theirs.

List:
Showcase cage 24x18x16(D)
UTH 12x14” (are they all the same or is there a best supplier?)
Ceramic bulb (What wattage do I need for the above sized cage?)
Herpstat 2 (do I need a 1 or 2 if I’m planning to hook up at UTH and a ceramic bulb?)
Hygrometer (what type is best?)

What do I need to go between the UTH, the ceramic bulb and the herpstat?

Am I on the right track? What else do I need?