I just received my boaphile PVC cage for my BP. I'm new to all this so bare with me. I ordered the cage to have a RHP and the flexwatt tape at the suggestion of boaphile. I was told that both can be controlled via the supplied thermostat via one probe. I have since read that is both unsafe and unnecessary to have both the flexwatt and the RHP. I just ordered a herpstat 1 and plan to only use one of the heating options. I live in southern california so I don't deal with crazy winters. Which heating method is the best and safest? Right now my little critter is in there using just the RHP plugged into the Ranco thermostat set to an 85 degree ambient temperature. Ive been running it since Thursday to get rid of that smell from the RHP, it still smells but not as bad.

I have read that some RHP's arent all that safe and I'm not sure all the safety features that the boaphile one includes. lastly If I just use the UTH flexwatt how will I tape the probe to the matt without making the PVC cage all wobbly and off centered? I was told it needed to rest directly on the desk or floor (its currently on a desk). Thanks for the help its much appreciated. This snake is my 6 year old so I would really like not to kill it.