Aluminum tape is fun!! I have never been so excited by tape haha! I covered the bottom of my tank with aluminum foil and aluminum tape to help distribute the heat more evenly and it was a good ol time...haha oh I have no life...And yea the 10 gallon should be fine for a juvenile for quite a while. The tank should be at least 1/3 the length of the snake if your worried about size. Good luck with the new addition!