Often not stated by the OP, there are few questions that always seem to come to mind when I read a husbandry thread.... What species and size? Where? Main enclosure features and location. Is just me???
Norm, the attachment did not work
.... Just zigzag the heat cord beneath a sealed pane of glass. ....
Unless you know about the different types of glass, I would not recommend using it. Unsuitable types will ultimately crack or shatter (sometimes years down the track) from the expansion and contraction. Most glass is brittle and readily shatters on impact with anything hard. Slate or ceramic tiles look good, have a high specific heat and are good conductors, which is what a cold reptile’s body plonked on top needs. They are readily available, cheap and durable.
Which is why I qualified it by saying it depends how far apart your runs are. I have a heat "pad" that I made the first time I ever used cord which is capable of getting to 60. I agree a better design would be more ideal but it illustrates the point I was trying to make.
In addition to the spacing between loops of heat cord, the total wattage vs the operative length is also critical in determining the temperature that can be reached. For example, a 15 W cord at 4 m length runs at
3.8 W/m, while an 80 W cord at 9 m runs at
8.9 W/m, a considerable difference. The point made on spacing is why I recommend a water-proofed wooden base, with spaced grooves in both directions, to allow the cord to be recessed and held securely in place. (Of crossing over is never allowed.)
For some species it is wise to heat the air.Tropical species will end up with health issues if only supplied with belly heat in a cool cage.
What actual species does this apply to?
I see nothing wrong with reducing costs so long as the needs of the animal are being properly catered for. Conversely, spending lots of money does not, of itself, provide any guarantee of good husbandry.
Any heating cage should pass the touch test if your animal might possibly be able to reach, including jumping and climbing up corners etc. Quite simply, if you cannot hold your hand on it once it has stabilised at its maximium temperature, then it is too hot for the reptile.
Blue