I'm a new ball python owner and sadly fell into the trick of "this starter kit is all you'll need" at a reptile show. Only to get home and realize I grabbed the worst options possible after doing further research and reviews. My ball python is in a 10 gallon tank with a UTH hooked up to a thermostat on one side. The temps on the cold side were staying around 77-78 until today when we had a chill and now they're down to 72 with the spot on my hot side remaining at 84 (I've been struggling getting it to go above 85 for a few days now and am not sure what to do there). Her humidity has been fluctuating between 55-65, but the only thing I have to measure is a terrible stick on thermometer + hygrometer combo.

Before anyone says "go grab x thing at walmart" - I spent probably 12 hours one day going to over 15 wal-marts, lowes, homedepots, petcos/petsmart(as a last resort), and even tractor supply places to look for a thermostat of some kind(because I learned I needed that) and also checked for hygrometers and thermometers. Found zip except for one thermometer that I don't trust is entirely accurate but I wanted something because I figured it's better than nothing. So please don't tell me to just go pick one up- believe me once I learned what I had was wrong or inaccurate I tried.

I did eventually find a reptile place and get a thermostat there the following day (after spending the whole night up regulating my snakes UTH myself via the thermometer I got), but thermometer and hygrometer wise what they had was no better than what I have now. So I ordered a temp gun and accurite thermometer + hygrometer combo and am waiting on that. The issue is, today we had a random cold chill and I am thinking a CHE might be what I need for my snake's tank but I don't have my vehicle today as my mom and I work different schedules so the reptile place will be closed by the time I have my vehicle again.

Petco and Petsmart, however, will not be closed so as much as I don't like those places I'm hoping to dash over there quickly. So my question is would a CHE on a dimmer be a good choice? Or would that be a bad choice for when I have to leave for work and my classes? I'm not sure how often temps should be checked if something is on a dimmer rather than a thermostat. And what wattage for a ten gallon tank? I've also read threads on getting plexiglass cut to fit the top but if I need a CHE I'm not sure how I would go about that. I know I can get a bin to, but my UTH was a stick on so I can't remove it. So for the time being until I order a new one that doesn't help me and I'm just trying to get my snake comfortable until I can get these things and purchase better quality versions of things like my UTH and hygrometer.

If the money for a CHE, plexiglass top, and the like for now is a waste- so be it. If it's a means to an end until I can get a more appropriate, healthy setup for my snake I'm not all that worried about buying things that I might not use anymore come next payday.