I'd like to set up a basking area for my bp. His temps are great but I'd like to give him a choice. The problem is...how? The temp in his tank without any extra heat source is 80 all day. I do not allow it to drop at night. It is often a few degrees higher, though. Money is an issue so what's a nice, simple way to create a warm area for him? I have a heat lamp I could use but putting it in his tank it out of the question, obviously. The lid is heavy plexi glass and his light is just a large fish tank light, not designed for heat. Oh, I do have a human heating pad...could that be of use? Safely? The tank is 50 gallons.
Ideas?