Oh also don't use reptile carpet. If your snake misses its target and grabs that carpet, it will lose teeth. Some poster mentioned that just a few days ago with his ball python. Personally I prefer aspen. I used Eco Earth years ago and I hated it. If it dries out, it gets dusty and the stuff gets everywhere. For my boa, when she got to be a big girl, she would pack that stuff down from her weight and it actually molded on me. I'm going to guess because it was so tightly packed down and wet that air couldn't get in there so it started growing mold balls. Anyways I quit using the stuff. Also I'm sure its just OCD on my part but I would rather not have my snakes sit on damp substrate 24/7 as I imagine scale rot starting.

As for a hide, my advice from what I learned from other guys with big boas is go to Walmart and buy http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...Black/17011370. Then cut a U shaped door on the side. They are cheap and my 6' BCI girl loves it when she does actually use her hide and the guy who gave me the idea said his 7' BCI fits in it. Much better than those half logs and a lot easier to clean. Also as for climbing, check into making a PVC perch. You and your boyfriend can do it together and they are cheap and work great. I rough up the pieces with sandpaper to give more grip and my little sunglow loves her perch and climbs around all over at night. You just sketch out what design you want along with how long each piece will be etc, then go to Home Depot and buy the elbows, T joints and 10' pvc pipe and self cut to what you need. I don't use PVC cement as just connecting them together is plenty. You don't need to cement the pieces. Some people will also scorch the pieces with to give the PVC a wood look. Its really big with ATP and ETB owners as those snakes are purely arboreal.