First off, I've been trying to get the warm side of his tank to around the high 80s or so, I'm using a digital thermometer so I'm sure it's reading accurately but the warm side is only around 80-81. Is there an easy fix to this? I have a heat pad on the bottom of the tank as well.

- A thermostat will allow you to control the temps of the heat pad, they come in a few varieties, costing anywhere from 30 to over 100 dollars. I recommend a johnson controls or ranco, you can get them from a variety of websites.

Lately he has seemed very aggressive, at first I was able to take him out of the tank easily, he didn't mind and when he came out, he would crawl up onto my arm and just relax. Now, whenever I go to handle him he just seems irritated and slithers away and doesn't like to be held. Is there something I'm doing wrong or should be doing when handling to make him more comfortable?

How long have you had him? Give him 7 days to settle into his new home with no handling, only to change water or clean up any messes. After that, try feeding him, if he eats, give him another day or two to digest and then you can begin handling him. Go slowly, support his body and have him out for 10-15 minutes until he starts getting used to it. They may be nervous or nippy at first. You are like a giant hot predator to them, eventually he'll learn that you aren't a threat and be less defensive.

And I wasn't too sure on how long to leave the lights in the tank on. My friend owns a Ball Python as well and at times she'll turn them off or on. The lights in my tank have been on 24/7 because if I turn them off, the thermometer drops to about 75 quickly and I don't want to make him sick or unhealthy from lack of heat. What do I do?

I wouldn't leave a light on 24/7 for them. Balls are nocturnal and the constant light could stress them. If you have a thermostat for your UTH you may not even need the light for ambient temps. You can also try a Ceramic Heat Emitter, they emit heat but no light. Just make sure to watch your humidity because they dry the air.

I've been keeping the humidity around a reasonable 50% mostly and trying to make sure it doesn't go under that range. I have only been using a squirt bottle, called "Zilla - Humidifying Spray, Tropical Mist." - "Helps prevent dry skin and shedding problems, Fortified with rich emollients and Aloe Vera". The store I had bought him from told me I should use this to keep the tank humidified, but if there is a more effective or better way to do that, that would be nice.

Water in a spray bottle works fine, just make sure its hot water in the bottle. It will turn warm as soon as it hits the air. When i used tanks i sprayed 1-2 times a day.

I set-up his tank with a hide on each side and a water bowl in the middle, but I'm thinking I should buy a larger water bowl since this one seems a little to small.

I don't think i ever notice any of my guys soaking in their water bowls. It may be helpful for humidity if you have a larger bowl placed partway over the heat source or under the light/CHE.

Good luck!