I have different ideas. First off tubs can be very hard to deal with to keep cool side and ambient temps correct in cool rooms most keep them in 'snake rooms' heated to 80ºF to maintain correct cool side and ambient air temps. I'd advise against it if the UTH cannot maintain the correct temps alone.
restricting air flow can lead to health issues often respiratory issues I'd again advise some caution doing this. Tanks do not vent well to begin with if doing so I'd never suggest blocking much more than the middle and then only half or less the surface area.
humid hides can solve all of the above the snake will use it when it needs.
The other method I personally use is substrate controlled. Like you have already figured out substrate choice will change the humidity. I'd recommend using coco coir (aka eco earth) in place of the cyprus. it will add a lot to the humidity but it too will dry out. I use a 'banked' method. The cool end has about 3 or 4 inches of substrate. The hot side has very little maybe 1/8 inch this helps keep the gradient. I 'water' the cool end I have a small tube that drop almost to the bottom where there is a shallow bowl (plant drip tray) adding a few ounces of water to this will moisen the substrate from below and will add a huge amount of humidity to the system. The substrate in the hide never gets 'wet' but isn't dusty dry either. This hold 55-65% for ten days with out anything on the screen top.
the third solution is this.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution
secondary heating is not super difficult but will need different ideas than what you are currently using.
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