I'm looking into getting my first ever snake in the next couple of months. I've been researching for a while, but I seem to be over analytical to some degree. I have my heart set on a ball python, but their heating requirements really throw me off.

I have a 32qt tub that can be used initially. I have planned to get some flexwatt tape and set it up long before I actually get a snake. But what worries me is the ambient temp.

Our house is usually around 69-73 degrees, and getting a heater for our baby-to-be is out of the question due to the set up of the house. So I was wondering if I could raise the ambient temp in a tub with a radiant heat panel? If so, would you still need to use flexwatt? (I'm not very familiar with RHP's, I just know they supposedly can raise ambient temps, but I wasn't sure if that's true with tubs.)

When you use flexwatt can you run two separate strips on the tub, one for warm and the other for cool as long as they both have thermostats?

I feel really silly for all these questions. I just don't want to get my snake and find out I've done some horrible mistake that could have been easily averted. If you have pictures of your heating setups in tubs, I'd love to see them. Or any advice you can give a poor girl who is trying to learn would make me incredibly grateful!