Best way to mount flukers heat mat?

[lindsay1126]

Hi everyone,
I just got the large Flukers Heat mat for our new tank. It says to put styrofoam under the mat, if I do that do I still need to tape it to the tank? Is duck tape safe to use to adhere it to the tank? Tips and pointers? Thanks.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Did you get an 11 x 17 inch heat mat? As far as I know, no styrofoam is really needed. Just be sure to elevate the tank at the corners with something like the sticky pads one sticks to chair legs to prevent them from scratching the floor. That elevation prevents heat build up under the tank which could cause a fire.

The only thing I would use for tape is heat resistant aluminum tape that you can get at a hardware store. If you use duct tape, you'll end up with a sticky mess.

 

[kholtme]

Yeah aluminum tape will be much better in the long run in my opinion. They have duct tape (its actually duct, not duck, haha) in the HVAC sections (heating ventilation air conditioning) along with aluminum tape, I looked up reviews for which tape is better (not for reptile heat pads but for house heating ducts, which are what they call the vents running in your house for heating and air) and in those reviews they say duct tape will get sticky and very messing after long periods of use. Any aluminum tape will be better because duct tape is made from a cloth, and aluminum tape is made from aluminum. So duct tape will work, but would be very messy if you decide to move your uth a couple years down the road.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Yeah aluminum tape will be much better in the long run in my opinion. They have duct tape (its actually duct, not duck, haha) in the HVAC sections (heating ventilation air conditioning) along with aluminum tape, I looked up reviews for which tape is better (not for reptile heat pads but for house heating ducts, which are what they call the vents running in your house for heating and air) and in those reviews they say duct tape will get sticky and very messing after long periods of use. Any aluminum tape will be better because duct tape is made from a cloth, and aluminum tape is made from aluminum. So duct tape will work, but would be very messy if you decide to move your uth a couple years down the road.

actually duck tape was the original name given to it by soldiers when it was invented, overtime the name was changed so both are correct.

But aluminum tape is the best way to attach a heater partly because you can always remove it.

 

[LEOPARD1]

I almost exclusively use Flukers Heat Mats. I simply put it under the substrate. No tape or adhesives. It's also sandwiched between polystyrene and Duck Brand (non-perforated) Shelf Liner.

Glass is not my thing. With that said. No tape or adhesives are needed.