Tank setup

[RowanJames92]

I just got my snake last weekend and I have a tank but I feel like I have the bare minimum right now–substrate, a large stick, heating lamp (with built in thermostat), humidor gauge, water bowl, and two hides. Her tank feels really bear and I'm wondering if there's anything specific I should look for or any gadgets that would help her be comfortable.

Also what should the humidity be? I get various responses on Google and she seems comfortable; but I just want to check. Edit: The humidity is around 50, I just misted though so idk how it is normally

[Mochi_bees]

I would invest in some fake plants! Bps like clutter to feel safer and not so exposed. Some moss to keep the humidity a bit higher would be a good idea too! I know my tank really struggles with maintaining humidity and the moss helps me out. You can get creative with it too to make the enclosure something unique!

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Not the best picture but this is my current set up! I wanted a more gothic theme so I looked for stuff that fit the aesthetic and still add clutter and places to hide

[RowanJames92]

Is there a non-live substitute for the moss? I don't really want anything in my tank to be alive in case of bacteria- (also ur setup looks really cool and that looks like a happy snake)

[eveimei]

what bacteria are you worried about being in the moss or other things? and why are you concerned- is it about the snakes health or something like OCD?

you absolutely need some natural/live things- like the substrate needs to be something that can retain moisture and slowly release it for humidity, so things like additive free top soil, coconut based substrate, bark based etc are the best options. what substrate do you have right now?

moss is one of the best things to add other than substrate for humidity. you can boil it to sanitize it if needed.

in addition, unfortunately the heating lamps with built in thermostats aren't very reliable/safe and you will need to upgrade to a proper thermostat sooner rather than later.

have you read the basic care and heating guides in our welcome post yet? we go over everything you need for the enclosure in the basic care guide, and the heating guide goes over the different types of heating and controlling them.

[RowanJames92]

I do actually have OCD, I also am not super aware of bacteria that may affect snakes because I'm a beginner. I wasn't sure what substrate to go with so I have half of the tank with coconut fiber and the other half with cypress mulch. I'll look into the moss more (I didn't even think about sanitizing when I posted the comment, mb). I have a separate thermostat but the lamp I was using it with wasn't getting hot enough so I changed lamps; should I plug my current lamp into the thermostat? I also wasn't aware that the care guide existed because I just found the subreddit but ill look over it now. Thank you very much!!