Under Tank Heater on Plastic Bins?

I'd like to set up caging for my snakes in rubbermaid/sterilite etc blanket boxes, but I'm worried if I put an under tank heater on it, that it will melt the plastic. Is this something to worry about, and is there a way to remedy it? I know many people use heat tape.. but the thermostat I'd have to buy is quite expensive (helix)

I use a human heating pad under my rubbermaids and haven't had any problems yet. I just give a little space for air to circulate on top of the pad and everything is just peachy :D

yea I am helping a friend of mine doing the same thing with his rubber maid that he is building

Ooh, I didn't even think about that. What if it is the kind that you buy at the pet store? The kind that sticks to the bottom.

a human heat pad will work well not so sure about a regular UTH like you said it could melt the plastic

You say you let air circulate over the heat pad.. you mean you have a space between the pad and the bin?

Has anyone tried putting the regular herp pads on a rubbermaid bin?

Come to think of it.. human heating pads are probably cheaper than herp pads anyway, but can you really get proper temps in there with those?

I wouldn't directly stick the UTH to the tank. You should just be able to sit it on whatever your tank is on and just adjust the height of the tank above it.

This thread gives you some good ideas on under tank heating pads: http://www.ball-pythons.net/index.ph...ewtopic&t=5885

This prompts another question.. is there any way to unstick an UTH from a tank?

So it's okay to use an UTH when the adhesive backing hasn't been removed?

I'm worried about burning my floor with the heat pad.. (happened before)