Ok the best cheap hide IMO are those plastic or clay pot bases you can cut out a piece at the edge so he can get in. They are around 2 Bux at Wal-mart or similar store. A dark hide is a lot better then one that will let in light when a snake sleeps they have no eyelids so they need darkness and since these are nocturnal animals meaning the come out at night and sleep during the day this can be very stressful. Think of it this way in the wild ball pythons will spend much of their time hiding in rodent burrows either abandoned the snake has eaten the inhabitants. These burrows are underground so there would be little to no light. You absolutely need 2 hides one for the warm side and one for the cool side and place a water dish in the center. I found that those tiny cereal boxes work great for hides too my little BP Coconut has 2 of them.

Now for your lighting question. I would abandon the white light and just stick to the night black light and leave it on 24/7. Plus it will save you from burning your fingers. They daylight that enters your room is enough for them to know that it is daytime. Plus those white lights just kill your humidity which is very important to your BP. If you dont have an under tank heater its advisable to get one though you dont have to but it can be a human heating pad they are like 10 bux and have different settings just be sure to seperate the pad from the glass of the tank which can get really hot. Put the pad and the light on the same side of the tank and your set.

If you have anymore questions, ask away.