I've been preparing my 30 gallon tank for a ball python we have at work, and I have a few questions regarding humidity and temperature (and possibly other things):

I am going to get a screen lid for the tank, but I know that i'll have to do something to keep the humidity and temperature up. I've seen where people "aluminum treat" mesh lids. What's aluminum treating?

I bought an UTH, and installed it on one side of the tank, which was supposed to be the warm side of the tank, but the substrate is only 83*F. This is too cool, correct? I'm not sure what to do about this...i'd like to avoid using heat lamps or CHE's since they'll dry my tank out. The substrate I have in the tank isn't going to be permanent, so we'll see what the temp is when I get the good stuff in.

Speaking of substrate, has anyone had any experience with "Bed-a-Beast"? It's coconut fiber stuff that comes in a brick that you tear apart.

And will a large water bowl and daily mistings keep the humidity high enough?

Sorry for so many questions, I just wanna get it right the first time. =]

I'll probably have more questions soon lol.

Thanks,
Brock Fluharty