The good thing is, you figured out what you need to change, and are going to take steps to do that.

It may seem like we kind of nit-pick and gang up a little sometimes, but we really mean well.

Take a deep breath, and make a careful list of all the stuff you'll need to pick up. There are ways to cut some of the costs if money is an issue, since I know a snake and supposedly complete setup from a pet shop wasn't cheap.

If you can, take the basking light back, your snake doesn't need it at all. Get a good under tank heat mat to replace it. A decent thermostat from a pet shop is a minimum of $50, but you can get by with a light dimmer for now for around $10. Get yourself an accurate digital thermometer, most of us like the Accurite digital weather station, which can be found with the indoor/outdoor thermometers at Wal-Mart. They are about $12.

You can by all means use your 20 gallon tank for now, just make sure your baby has several nice, snug hides, and maybe a fake plant or two. If you have a screen lid for the tank, you will have some trouble keeping humidity up, but there are ways around that, including partially covering the screen with foil or even plexiglass.

Since you just got your baby, it normal for it to cruise for a few days to even a week or so, then it should settle in nicely. Wait at least a week before trying to feed him or her. Once you get your setup all set, keeping your baby will be a breeze.

Best of wishes for you both.

Gale