Using flexwatt with a tank?

Hey guys,

I know most people use UTH ( like Zoo med's) with a tank setup but is it wrong to use flexwatt heat tape on the bottom of a tank? I am planning on doing this and was also wondering if i should just use foil tape to tape it to the bottom of the tank while elevating the tank 1/4 inch off the ground OR use foil tape to tape the flexwatt to the surface of the table elevate the tank 1/4 inch off the ground?

are there any dangers to either of these 2 setups? ( using a rheostat with the flexwatt of course)

Sure, you can use flex watt.

The reason why most people don't is because, usually, those who use tank set-ups have a very small collection - usually 1 - and so buying flex watt and having to assemble it yourself is a pain for the measley amount of savings you're gonna get. Flex watt is not readily available in stores. Usually, you'll have to have it shipped to you which is $9 for standard shipping. The flex watt itself is cheap - about $2-$3 a foot but then, most people get the connector sets and insulators which would then make the foot of flex watt inch up to almost $20.

You can buy a zoomed heat mat for not much more than that.

The danger to flex watt is the same for the heat mats - that is, if you wired the flex watt properly.

ok cool, well i actually bought the flex watt pre wired already cost me 5 $ for about a foot just wasnt sure if i could use it :) should i elevate the bottom of the tank and stick the flexwatt with foil tape onto the bottom of the tank or to the surface of the table beneath the tank?

I tape it to the surface I'm setting my tubs on, the same should apply to a tank.

As long as your flexwatt is plugged into a thermostat so you can keep the hot spot inside the tank at about 90 to 92 degrees then you shouldn't need to raise it.
You certainly can if you feel it needs to vent.

I tape the flex watt onto the bottom of the tank (outside glass). I have the Zilla tank and the bottom glass is hovering about 1/8-1/4 inch from the surface, so I didn't need to raise the tank more.