No, just a plastic tub is fine. You can cover 2-3 sides if you want and the remaining side he can see out of . Just be patient and he'll come around as long as he's healthy. Do you mind if I ask who you got him from ? If you'd feel better p.m.'ing me or just not mentioning it that's fine though.
Just to double check - the temp on the basking side by probe is 97.7 and the basking area by infrared is 110 at the top to 107-105-101-99 as you go down the plastic rock. The cool side is 82 by digital thermometer with humidity at 39%, and 25-30% humidity by a gauge in the middle of the cage. His uvb branch is about 89 degrees. His poop is watery, most likely from his syringe feeding. Thoughts on changing to tub or melamine tank? Just want to make him less stressed than more. Thanks!!
Plastic tub for temp. housing while he's small, don't spend money on a melamine tank. Hottest temp. I felt comfortable with was 105. Everything else sounds good.