New to Site and Pythons

[Wearentfree]

Hey guys,
New to the site and pythons. I've had a bearded dragon since 2008 and am a reptile fanatic, so I'm not completely oblivious to pythons.
The girlfriend's dad ended up wanting to get rid of his 2 year old Ball Python but wanted to give him to someone he knew. I've always wanted a python or boa so I built a bigger cage for the python and he gave him to me. He's pretty big, haven't measured but I would say a little over 3'.
Here's a couple of pictures of the setup and of the python, Jits.
I know lights aren't preferable, but he has always had a light like this for heat and I couldn't figure out how to do it otherwise with an enclosure that is built out of melamine board. Any input is encouraged. I am planning on getting another hide here within a day or so for the cool side. Temps work out pretty good with this size enclosure. He was due to eat when I got him but couldn't get him to eat the same size rats he usually does. I figure its cause of new environment and it might take him a few days or so? He seems healthy and enjoying his new cage, He hides most of the time, chills with his head out, or roams at night a little bit.

[DPBallPythons]

He's lookin' great. I like to give a new snake a week (minimum) to settle in before feeding.

[Wearentfree]

Awesome That's what I was thinking. Thanks

[Neal]

Welcome to the forums.

[Ronin]

Hello and welcome to the forum! You can always take that light out and put in a ceramic heater. It also wouldn't be a bad thing to get a UTH with a thermostat. What is the humidity at? Other than that, looks like a really cool set up!!

[Wearentfree]

The only thing I'm concerned about regarding a ceramic heater or UTH is that the cage is melamine treated plywood. Would the ceramic heater make it too hot? And the same with a UTH?
I'm going to get a hydrometer today to measure the humidity, because all he had were those crappy stick on thermometers and we all know those blow. But I'm gonna make sure to keep it at about 50%.

[Ronin]

You can get a dimmer switch for the ceramic heater for $5 at Home Depot/Lowes. That way you can control the heat the ceramic heater puts out. And you can get a thermostat for the UTH for $30 off of Amazon. Or if you don't mind spending the extra bucks, you can get a thermostat/hydrometer combo for $30 more.

[SlitherinSisters]

Welcome to the site! He looks good! Sometimes they need a little time to settle in before they eat.

[Wearentfree]

Ok my only concern is the fire hazard of heating the plywood. Do you have or know of anyone with experience using a UTH on plywood with a thermostat?
By all means if it's commonly used and safe I will get a UTH, I'm just very cautious with heating up plywood lol. I live in Arizona so I'm very aware of fire safety I suppose.
Another question is; will there be any health problems with using a light for heat? He's had it his whole life but I'm not justifying it.
I know there is a problem with keeping humidity with light heat sources, which I finally got a hygrometer and his humidity was low(around 35%-40%).
I sprayed the cypress mulch , which raised it to between 50%-60% and caused him to come out of his hide to explore. But that was short lived as the humidity dropped again. I was planning on getting some moss to wet and throw in there to sustain humidity.

Once again, thanks for all the input and advice. It's much appreciated.

[Wearentfree]

Figured I would mention as well, the melamine treated plywood is 3/4" thick.