Insulating Ultratherm UTH Under the Tank?

[Stingray74]

Hey All,
The instructions with the Ultratherm UTH I just received states to insulate the UTH with styrofoam and tape it down to direct the heat upwards towards the tank. Does anyone do this? Does it help stabilize the UTH to eliminate hot spots on the heater?

I like the low wattage of the Ultratherm, but the firmness of it keeps it much of it from contacting the glass due to the tstat probe being wedged in between the glass and the heater. Therefore, when using my temp gun, the temps are all over the place because about 1/3 of the heating pad isn't in contact with the glass. I currently have my Herpstat at 95 to keep the surface temp at 90, and that's just using a single layer of paper towel as my substrate. Also using a CHE to heat the tank to an even 80 degrees, in case you were wondering ; ).

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[KMG]

Yes I have placed foam or in some cases where I needed something thinner a piece of cardboard. It worked fine.

To keep the probe from causing a gap between the uth and the bottom of the cage you can secure the probe to the bottom of the uth instead of in between. If you use foam it would be very easy to cut a channel for the probe wire and cut out a holder for the probe.

[Stingray74]

Yes I have placed foam or in some cases where I needed something thinner a piece of cardboard. It worked fine.

To keep the probe from causing a gap between the uth and the bottom of the cage you can secure the probe to the bottom of the uth instead of in between. If you use foam it would be very easy to cut a channel for the probe wire and cut out a holder for the probe.

That is a great idea, KMG! Thanks! Have you done that before (probe beneath UTH)?

[Yodawagon]

I put the probe between the pad and bottom with bins, then cut the foam insulation the same size as the bin bottom. The bins I use have a recessed bottom, so the probe didn't cause a bulge.

[KMG]

That is a great idea, KMG! Thanks! Have you done that before (probe beneath UTH)?

Yes, it all works the same. As long as the probe is directly on the heat mat it does not matter if it is on top or bottom, the results will be the same.