"Bulldog" or "binder" clips (the really big 2" ones) can also be used to hold a lid closed on most tubs, so that might be another option to try.
With the heat lamp, you can also use a che (ceramic heat emitter) in the lamp, which won't give off any light but will emit heat. Either way, just make sure you have it on a stand and a dimmer so you can play with it to get your temps right.
You could possibly try insulating the sides of the tub with styrofoam or something similar to hold in heat, but I'm sure you'd still need the heat lamp.
If you are looking into a pvc cage, animal plastics, constrictors NW, and cserpents all make them. They are pricey though. I'm looking into buying a 4'x2'x 18" for my male boa and it looks like I'll be spending $350+ if I want a shelf and light fixture. You may just want to stick with consecutively larger tubs until you build your own enclosure (unless you'll be able to use the pvc cage for something else when the retic outgrows it). Boamaster also makes pvc cages and melamine cage (which are cheaper and great at insulation, but heavy as all get out and cost a lot to ship).
Good luck!
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