Hey everyone, i just got my first ball python a couple weeks ago. I have a 20L tank for her which is big enough for now, as she's still pretty small. I'm planning to make her a bigger enclosure out of a 6.38Hx19.75Wx44L underbed plastic bin for when she grows up.

The bin won't go under my bed, i plan on using the ambient light in the room for her day/night cycle. I'm going to drill holes along the sides of the bin, and I'll probably leave the lid alone but am considering putting in screens. The hot end will have 2 9x20 heat mats on the bottom of the bin, both controlled by a stat set to 92F.

I'll be monitoring temp/humidity inside the hot hide, which I'd like to completey bury in loose coconut fiber substrate. My main concern is air flow. I was thinking the UTH could create convection currents that would cycle fresh air throughout the hide with the only opening being the entrance, but I'm not sure if i should just keep the hide on the surface, or create more air openings in the hide.

The cool side will have a surface level hide and it's own thermo/hygrometer like the hot side. Then the water bowl, some sticks and plants will go in between the hides with loose coconut fiber underneath. Will my bin be tall enough? Can i bury the hot hide and not worry about air? Do i need to put a screen in the lid? Thanks for any help, if you have any more advice for me i definitely appreciate it.