hey my way of doing it is not ungodly expensive but the snake will be happy and it will thrive. you dont have to use my way but all that matters is the tank is 90 on one side 80 on the other two hides and a water dish you can do whatever you want to meet those requirements. The way i posted is just what works for me. I would definately go with a accurite from walmart. O and those stick on thermometers suck the one i bought was off by 4 degrees.