Setting up UVB questions

[Bogertophis]

I strongly recommend testing UVB output with a meter (Solarmeter 6.5R), especially for animals that (a) don't actually use UVB to manufacture D3 (BPs), and (b) may not self-regulate exposure, or at least not effectively in normal captive conditions ...............The UVI recommendation (~ 0.7) for animals like BPs is hard to hit and easy to overshoot, IME.

Lamps absolutely need to be untouchable by the snake both for burn prevention (T5HO can easily get hot enough to burn) as well as breakage prevention. Broken florescent lamps are a nightmare of glass slivers and mercury.

THIS ^ ^ ^ !!! And personally, I'd see about returning it. Then when summer comes around & the temperatures are right for it, take a few strolls outside while holding your snake- that's all.