Overhead lights running 24/7 questions

[Rickys_Reptiles]

I've got a ball python that can't be on a UTH for a couple of weeks (hopefully less). To keep his tank warm I've got two 75watt infrared bulbs running in a double dome. I switched to two infrareds from a daylight basking & infrared because he can get his day/night cycle from the window (and I've read they don't need day/night cycles) The tank is a 55gallon glass with screen top and foil on 90% of it. The dome is on one side of the tank and I've achieved a decent hot spot/cool side. I have one light that runs 24/7 and the other is on a timer that switches it on and off every 30min-1 hour.
Edit: at night only one is on and his hotspot is about 86
and the cool side is about 80-82...does that need to change?


My questions are
1: Would putting a thermostat (dimming or normal) be better than the timer? Would it just be eliminating the frequent temp monitoring?
2: Would a rheostat (from my understanding acts as a light dimmer) be better?
3: Should I just get a lower wattage bulb? Or a combination of smaller bulb and one of the above?
4: Would the switching on and off of one light bother the snake?

1) Thermostat is always best, most accurate way of controlling temperatures
2) rheostat is basically a dimmer, and no, this would not be better than a thermostat.
3) I'd suggest moving to a ceramic bulb with a thermostat
4) Yes and no. They don't particularly enjoy lights as it is which is why the ceramic bulbs are best. they provide heat, but no light.

Also, you should keep the temperatures consistent 24/7. Don't drop it at night.