I think you'll do great. The critical thing is understanding why people recommend what they do.

These are not arbitrary things being thrown out there.

Knowing the why makes the decisions easier to make.

I do think you are best to start with a tub, learn your husbandry, and then work up to a larger dispay.

I do not hate tanks and display vivs, but I do consider them to be in the area of "advanced husbandry" and sadly, most people start with them, and then spend several months trying to perfect their husbandry with the snake in the enclosure.

I think what you are doing is great. You figure out what you need and then you set it up, you let it run, and once it is stable, then you bring the snake home.

Most people find snake forums after they have the snake, and sadly often, after they start having problems.

It is a rare treat to get to talk with keepers that are still pre-snake.

Bruce

PS: If you ever leave me a message in a thead and I do not see it... feel free to PM me. I do not attend to the forum daily so sometimes the threads I am part of disappear before I get back.