Well, the basalt I was thinking of was cut beach stones so I would round the edges... in any case, I am going with slate since I got four 24"X 6" tiles for only four dollars. Pretty good steal. I will have to cut two of them but it shouldn't be a big deal. I gather that heat tape or UTH both transfer the heat through the glass and stone well and that it doesn't put the glass at risk of cracking. Thanks guys!
How thick is this slate? Probably should not be more than 1/4 inch thick for best heat transfer.
Just be sure to have ventilation under the tank.
I cracked the glass on my 33 gallon quite badly because of lack of ventilation. I don't think I will be repeating that mistake. Found out today it is probably cheaper to buy a new tank. Boo to disposable society.
Damn, didn't think of that! The are 3/8 an inch, so just over a 1/4-grrr. Experimentation with proportional thermostat?
I might put heat tape along the back of the enclosure.... on a thermostat it shouldn't get too hot
Good idea, thanks!I actually talked to some reptile zoo owners and I think I will use a combination of substrates in order to provide belly heat. Also, one of the people I am in contact with raises and houses some very rare, some endangered (he is working on preservation and trying to establish a captive bred stock so diminish demand on wild caught animals) gecko species. I will clarify with him but I know he puts heat tape on the back of some of his enclosures. But yes, I will wait and hear from both ends
Anyway, I would think the heat tape and whatnot will take at least a week to get shipped here... so some time to think.
or you can get 24"X6" slate tiles for a dollar each from the extra stock at a tile store.
I am using a mixture of things-this tile is a bit too thick and so I want to use other substrates as well to ensure proper conduction of belly heat. Heat tape and thermostats should arrive next week-woop!
Now I just need to figure out decor.