Under Tank Heat Pads - UTH

[Pandora3d]

i have just a regular ol' aquarium i used to have my fish in. it has little rubber 'feet' on the bottom of the tank, so there is plenty of space for air to circulate underneath. i do not have a drainage layer, but am contemplating adding a layer of gravel after my next cleaning. although i do not feel the UTH puts out much heat, and is not hot enough to harm my little guys, i'd rather not take that chance. i am looking at getting a new tank altogether as the 10gal is just too small for my liking after joining this forum and educating myself. if/when i do get a new one, i think i will still keep it on the bottom of the tank, i just do not like it on the side....and my guys seem okay with it on the bottom too.

[DonLisk]

Thanks for the reply Pandora3D.

To consolidate your input:
Your tank's UTH is placed on the bottom of one side of an glass aquarium tank and the tank is slightly lifted to allow airflow under the heat pad.
No drainage layer is utilized and the UTH heats straight to the substrate to generate heat on one side and a cooler area on the other.
Noticeable drying of the substrate occurs and misting is required to maintain humidity levels and to moisten the soil.
Size of your heat pad is small enough that it and does not generate overly heated locations for the inhabitants.

Again, thank you for the great information.

[sajane]

just a question about fire hazard or overheating.I have 14 pads on my cages, either on rheostats or thermostats so that should protect against overheating or power surges correct? I use another 5 pads on feeders without rheostats or thermostats. I have heard of a uth overheating and burning a plastic tub.but have not had any problems. Even the smallest pad will heat up to 110 degrees in my experiance with the temp gun.

[DonLisk]

Some great questions and something I have little experience with but have a good understanding of electrical wiring and fires.

Being a fire or safety hazard would depend on many things but since most materials would need much more heat to create a fire than 114 degrees, a spark would probably need to occur to ignite anything near the UTH.

I have never experienced any over heating issues with UTH use, but can see in some of my snake enclosures where the heat has left permanent burn marks right through the enclosures resin bottom. Whether this was due to no air circulation under the tank, or what was on top of the heated area, I can not say since it occurred long ago.

As for plastics, I believe that they can get hot enough to melt plastic if not air circulation is provided but still think it would not create a fire hazard only due to the heat the UTH is generating.