Hi all, I recently moved my 18 month old ball python into flashy new Vivexotic Viva+ vivarium and I'm looking for some guidance/advice as to best practice on setup. I moved my snake into its new home about a week ago and here's how I currently have things:

Vivarium Size: 86 x 49 x 50cm
Heat source: 150w White Python ceramic heater (fully guarded of course, running on a Microclimate pulse thermostat set to 90f) positioned on the left side of the viv
- Temperature directly under the ceramic is 88F and temperature at the other 'cool' side is 73F (I'm currently using probe thermometers but plan on replacing these as the probes are a pain and move around too easily)
Hides: x2 ZooMed wooden Habba Huts (large) on either side of the tank (basically hollowed out logs)
Other: Beech chippings substrate, ExoTerra water dish (large), climbing log and various artificial plants to provide cover and improve the aesthetics.

1) My ExoTerra dial hygrometer is currently reading 45% humidity which I guess is low and therefore I would like to get this up to around 55%? I've been misting daily but obviously would like to find a method of stabilising the humidity without having to do that - thoughts on a change of substrate; maybe orchid bark which I believe better holds moisture than beech?

2) As I said above, the temperature directly below the ceramic heat source where I have my Habba Hut hide positioned is 88f, however inside the actual hide the temperature is more like 78f (I've ordered a temp gun off Amazon to confirm this). Because of this my snake has barely used the hot hide and instead opts to climb an artificial plant and get as close to the ceramic as possible. Should I replace the hot hide with something other than wood which conducts heat better?

3) Following on from the above, is it safe for the snake to be so close to heater guard? He can't currently contact the base of the guard where most of the heat is being emitted but still I don't want burns. He seems quite content curled up near the roof.

Fed a couple of nights ago without any issues (had to tempt him down from the roof of the viv), which is a good sign so the next thing that I'm looking out for is a good shed. Am I over analysing here or should I make some tweaks?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated

Mark