Please DO NOT EVER put tape INSIDE an enclosure. Bad, bad idea. A thermostat will control your heat mat/tape output. A cheap (and Imo temporary ) thermostat is a hydrofarm. Best option would be a herpstat from spyder robotics. This is a good basic start caresheet-
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127203

You can get an accurite thermometer from Walmart. It will measure both ends as well as humidity. Those analog ones are junk. Accurite can still be off by a degree or two, but way better than analog. Or available at amazon-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001BO...110_SY165_QL70


Glass aquariums with screen lids can be hard to maintain humidity and temps. Serpent Merchant has some very good threads about set ups and thermostats. Anything he says can be trusted.

Hides should be dark, snug, and secure. Think borderline too small and dark= perfect for bps.