I've got a 3.5 ft ball python in a 55 gallon tank that stretches 4ft long and is 20 inches deep. I have heat pads under the tank which can get up to at least 100 F easily (I have a thermostat, don't worry, it stays at about 90). I also have a 100w clamp lamp on the warm side that sits on top of the wire mesh. The lamps heat pretty much doesn't touch the snake at all because its so far away. I need to know how I can lower the lamp into the cage so it heats up better, but I don't know how I can do that and keep the snake away from it. Also, I have to keep the lid on because he loves to try to crawl over to me while I'm sleeping and I'm tired of waking up with him inside my shirt. I could try to get a higher watt bulb but the lamps limit it 100w so i would be pushing it