I've had my first AP for 8 months and it's every thing it's cracked up to be. I also went with pro products heat panel, it's first rate also. You may want to consider making your own hide. I got 6 bricks and a 1x2 ft ceramic tile, 2 bricks for the long sides 1 for short sides, cover with the tile. Fill in spaces with substrate and place it half under heat panel. Dark, quiet and long enough your snake to thermo regulate and never leave home. What size? Bigger is better, just fill it up as required.