How Is Our Setup For Our New BP?

[Squagem]

We recently purchased a gorgeous little ball python, and it (we currently don't know the gender) is fitting in very nicely. After having a look through the many resources there are available here and on other forums, I still have a few questions regarding the setup we are currently using, and would greatly appreciate some pointers!

Our Current Setup

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Our setup as of today is as follows:

• 50 Gallon Tank
• Basic Tank-Wide UTH
• Newspaper Substrate
• Single Hide
• 1/2" Deep large Water Bowl
• Climbing/Enrichment Synthetic Tree
• Enrichment Hammock
• Temperature Gun
• Separate Feeding Container
• 75W Heating Bulb
• Feeding Tongs
• Temperature Gradient: 74 F - 90 F
• Basking Area: 90 F

Incoming Improvements

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Below is a quick list of things that I know our little guy needs, and am currently making an effort to get for him/her:

• A second hide in the cool area of the tank
• A smaller enclosure

Questions I Have

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Although we have done quite a bit of research, we are still unclear on some issues:

• The ambient temperature in the enclosure is currently too low (see above), however I do not know how to increase this temperature. Considering our BP already has a heating pad, would it be too much to also have a heating lamp? Would this be something we only did in the winter?
• Regardless of whether or not we use a heating lamp, we will still provide a light source, but will it hurt the BP's eyes if it is placed directly on top of the cage? Should we elevate it a few inches off the top to prevent burns / discomfort?
• I'm currently drying some coconut fiber as a soft substrate, however am having doubts as to whether or not it will be better than the newspaper. I've heard conflicting reviews with the negative points lingering on the fact that the snake could ingest some of the loose fibers and form an impaction. Is this accurate?
• What are the actual benefits of smaller enclosures? It seems that it would just be harder to implement a good heat gradient in a smaller environment. It might be worth it to note that we did try to partition the big enclosure, but the little rascal kept climbing over into the side with no substrate.
• He seems to be lingering in his hide (which is in the warm side of the enclosure) during the day. Is this simply because of his nocturnal nature? Or could it be a flag for something else?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this! Any advice to help get this little guy settled in would be greatly appreciated