If im reading your post correctly you have your heat mat on the side of the tank? This needs to be placed under the tank and connected to a thermostat. Snakes need belly heat to help with digestion. You will need a cool side and warm side hide... Log hides arnt the greatest but if its all you can find it should work... If you got like 10$ id check out apple herp or someother places that carry the all black zilla hides... Baby ones are like 3-4$... If you want to save even more cash just pick up some really small tupperware bowls and cut 1 opening in it... works very well and pretty cheap... As far as shed... it usually takes 4-6 weeks depending on the snake and how much it has eaten... Make sure when he does shed you write it down so you know generally when his next shed will be.