Hello to everyone! My name is Alyssa and the newest addition to my household is a baby male BP, Mali. I have never had a snake before and after two trips to the local reptile store and one to Home Depot, I'm overthinking and feel like I've taken a few steps back. My greatest worry so far has been heating and although I've read countless threads on here, I'm more confused now then I was before. I explained to the worker at the local reptile store, where I got Mali, that I am a first timer and needed some advice on equipment even after reading into BP husbandry. The initial equipment advised for his setup was:
-100W Neoddymium Day Bright
-Fluker's Dimmable Clamp Lamp 8.5"
-Fluker's Digital Thermo-Hygrometer
-Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium 12x12x12
-Exo-Terra Branch (Small)
-Exo-Terra Reptile Cave (Medium)
-Zoo Reptile Rock Water Dish (Medium)
-Zoo Aspen Bedding

I used my own humidifier and the hygrometer goes between 48-60%. My room is normally between 70-80F, as I tend to keep the door closed and I have central AC/heat. The clamp lamp was a pain setting up, as I have no stand and putting it on top of the mesh meant it took up the whole terrarium. Not one area like I'd read. I rigged it above by a few inches and angled it, but after seeing how bright the Neo DB light was, I figured that was wrong regardless. I was terrified of the stupid thing overheating, so I went to Home Depot before work and got a Defiant 15 Amp 24-Hour Plug-In Mechanical Big Button Timer. I read a few reviews that said it was difficult to program, but I went home and had no trouble at all hooking it up to the lamp and programming it. I went back to the local reptile store after work (the reason I went back is because this all started with a gift card I got for my birthday, so I figured I could remedy the lamp issue and second hide I needed). My second trip resulted in more recommended equipment:
-Basking stump
-Exo-Terra Thermometer (I wanted a dial one for the back of the terrarium)
-RZIL Mini Halogen Lamp
-RZIL Mini Halogen Fixture
-Rainforest background (to cover the two bare sides of the glass terrarium)

I came home and setup the new lamp which gives a nice forgiving reddish glow. Since this one isn't dimmable I'm having a bit of a hard time keeping the temperatures where they should be and when. Last night, the digital thermometer I got on my first store trip went over 106F under the basking area before the screen began darkening over, but the dial near it read about 80F. I'm not looking to cook Mali. Should I change out the halogen for something else? I'm not sure what lamps/bulbs are used for what purpose. Perhaps I should get a CHE deep dome? Is that a 24/7 lamp, because I keep reading about this day/night periods separate that I can't quite figure out. Mali has stayed in his rock cave for the exception of 2 times over the past 4 days and doesn't seem interested at all in basking. When I have had to move his rock to clean out his business, he seems to be breathing heavy. I don't know if that's lack of heat or too much. The humidity is right where it should be. Should I leave the halogen lamp on 24/7 or leave it on the timer? Currently it is only set to go on 6 times in 12 hours for a half hour at a time. I'm not understanding the difference in day/night lighting, so I also have it on at night while I'm asleep. It's a 50W lamp for a 25W bulb and I'm a bit worried that it'll become a fire hazard if I leave it on 24/7, so if there is something safer also I'd like to know.

I'm going to Home Depot later to get a Accu-Rite Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer just in case. Right now at 2am, the meters read the cold side is about 77F / 51% and the basking area is about 82F. I'm sorry for the length, but you folks seem like you'll be able to help clarify what lamp/bulb to use and when and why and for how long. I haven't slept much since I got him, maybe 12 hours in 4 nights, so thank you for reading this rambling and thank you for any clarification you can provide!

-Alyssa & Mali