I would suggest going through the caresheet here first and foremost:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

They do not require the UVB bulb but it will not hurt as long as you give her a day/night cycle. I would suggest getting a heat mat sufficient to provide the necessary hotspot and not using a basking bulb as they dry out enclosures very quickly and ball pythons do better with belly heat.

What is causing the 15 degree swing on your hot side? A night temp drop is acceptable but a large swing is not a good thing.