The book, the art of keeping snakes by P de Vosjoli has detailed comments on a bioactive subsrate. I read it a year or so ago and don't recal all the details but basically you need a under layer (hydroponic beads or lighting grate) then a course mix and a fine mix and think back to front rise. I know some ppl use poted plants and some directly in the substrate. I know that if properly set up it will stay fresh and perfectly balanced for years. The ultimate in low work you can ignore pee and just deal with poop. Corns don't need heat (not my species so I actually don't know for sure) but if you needed heating it has to be a radient panel or so I understand. I have helped with a viv but with salimanders and lots of plants. I however was the studid end of the team but I have been thinking on it for a ball python set up but I am just in the early stages of planning.

Anyway the book is a great start and as the project requires soome planning there likely won't be too much of a rush. Amazon has it for sure.
I hope this helps.
Alex