OR use some kind of heat baffle - take a moment and try measuring the surface temp right on top of the heat source with NO substrate - gad -friggin-zooks is right. The substrate helps dissipate the heat, provides a baffle and evens it up a bit. If you are sternly opposed to loose substrate you can get platic pegboard at lowes (home depot etc) and cut to fit the bottom of the enclosure. Makes for a nice even heat dispersion and the holes allow a viable gradient. Also beneficial in that if a water bowl etc is turned over it goes to the bottom of the enclosure and prevents pooling of water that they'd have to sit in until you get home. If you do this be sure to finish the edges (sand then pass with a lighter to catch the particulate) then put your paper towels, newspaper etc on top.


only pic of the stuff i could find atm.

Props to Smynx for spotting this stuff and the brainstorm.

Or you can always buy the little self-adhesive rubber "feet" and put them underneath your cage and jack it up off the pad a tad.