Jasmine, while you have what sounds to be a nice setup for your milksnake I would personally change a couple things. I would not use sand in the mix. Just to be safe I would change to a couple inches of aspen bedding. It's easy to spot clean between complete changes, they can burrow in it easily for security and while I doubt it, there is a possibility the snake might have an issue with the mix 0f substrate your using.
I would cover all but a inch or two of the top, leaving just enough open on each end for air exchange but it will raise the general humidity which is too low. I would also have a large water bowl, of at least 10 inch diameter to help get up the whole cage humidity. The humid hide you have is great.
Your temps sound fine but I would just use the under the tank heater set in the mid to upper 80's range. I would probably leave it in the upper 80's down near the bottom of the substrate until things improve.
If you wanted to you could also cover both ends and the back for the snake to feel more secure.
Good tight fitting hides on the cool and warm side along with the humid hide near the cool side like your doing are great.
The poping sounds, as long as they are not accompanied with any mouth gaping, nose bubbling or serious throat swelling (not passing air) could be caused by being about to shed or it mashing something in it's nose. If you make changes and it gets worse or doesen't improve in a few days then you might want to consider a vet trip.
All the things I've listed are things that have worked for me over the years with hondurans but there are other ways to skin a cat also.
Best of luck.
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Randy Whittington

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