under tank heater questions

[sajane]

I find it easier to stick the under tank heater to the wood or metal shelves that my tanks and bins are on, so I can just pick up the tanks for cleaning etc. Has anyone else done this and is it a problem? I do still have the spacer feet on the tanks.
has anyone had their glass tanks break from the u t h? either from watering or deep substrate etc? Has anyone had a uth over heat and cause a fire or melting? Just wondering about how common these things are

 

[Allee Toler]

UTH's are notorious for over heating. I've had quite a few over heat on me.

Since you placed the UTH on wood, you need to think about the wood. Is it pine? Does it have a coating? Does it have a stain coat? Anything you place on the UTH that's a chemical can cause a reaction. Just because you don't smell it, doesn't mean it's not there.

What I've done is taken egg crate (used in lighting, you can find it in the lighting department) stick the UTH on the egg crate (since it's designedto be heated). When I move my 40 long it makes it much easier. I have my tanks elevated so the UTH has plenty of air exchange to prevent over heating, as well as have all my UTH/heat tape on thermostats.