New to pet snakes, any veteran advice?

[redshepherd]

Ok so let me get this straight, a thermostat is what controls how hot your heating mat gets and thermometer is what monitors it, but what you sent me does both? Also, the tank in that thread is not going to be as fancy as mine. I'm not planning on getting a lamp, second hide, or store bought substrate.

The 2nd hide isn't just for show, it's to provide a proper basic setup for a snake, so they can choose when to warm themselves up or when to cool down.