Well, as I'm sure you are aware by now, pet stores generally suck at reptile husbandry. The best case-scenario would have been you researching the animal before getting it, but thats a mute point now isn't it?

I suggest you do away with the light bulbs, as they are not the best method of heating for BPs. The best way to go about heating a cage is a human heat pad from Wal-Mart. Those supposed "reptile pads" can get very hot if not kept on a thermostat. You don't want the temps to go over 90 on the warm side or under 75 on the cool side. *Very important*.....go out and get yourself a good digital thermometer. Anything besides digital is crap.

Also, you may find newspaper to be a much easier substrate to use than astroturf. Much easier to change out and cheaper. That turf stuff absorbs bacteria very well and its hard to really clean it efficiently. I also suggest using at LEAST 2 hides in the cage...one on the warm side and one on the cool side. This allows for thermoregulation.

About the pooping.....BPs usually poop once a month....but you want to feed your snake more often than that, so the pet store is *surprise* wrong again, lol. Babies-Juvies do well on a every 7 day schedule and Adults every 10 days or so. Over feeding can be just as bad if not worse than underfeeding.

Give your snake a chance to settle in and keep handling to a minimum until he/she becomes an established eater for you. Be sure to feed only dead prey, preferably frozen/thawed.

Good luck with your new acquisition.