What kind of tape to tape down heat tape?

Which is best and why? (or are they all equal) I've seen all four used:

• Duct tape?
• Clear packing tape?
• Aluminum tape?
• Double-sided sticky tape underneath?

I use a layer of electrical tape, followed by a layer of aluminum foil tape.

I use double sided tape. I used to use duct tape but the middle of the mats tended to sag with that. The doubled sided tape has worked for me.

Most people use aluminum tape, though personally I've never seen the sense of using something that is an electrical conductor to hold down an electrical device. I personally use duct tape that is made for high heat applications (actual 'DUCT' tape is used for holding together ductwork including heating ducts) though it gets real messy if you need to move it around. I really wish someone would invent something better.

Foil tape here.
Just remember to insulate ALL FOUR corners with electrical tape.

For flexwatt, can I just tape it to the underside of the terrarium glass? And if so... I have that annoying sagging problem with my old uth, that this one hopefully won't have, what tape is best? Double sided tape ok? The heat won't cause an issue?

I also got to stick the probe in there, so maybe a combo of double sided tape and electrical tape?

Aluminum tape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Foil tape here.
Just remember to insulate ALL FOUR corners with electrical tape.

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I'm new here, but I hadn't heard that yet. I use foil tape, but what do you do with the electrical tape? Put a square of it (over or under?) on the each corner of the foil tape?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Outtkast

I'm new here, but I hadn't heard that yet. I use foil tape, but what do you do with the electrical tape? Put a square of it (over or under?) on the each corner of the foil tape?

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You THG or flex is not insulated on the buss bars when you cut it. You need to wrap a piece of electrical tape over the cut ends and over the soldered or connected ends. If you dont and you foil tape them its a direct short. Unless you have great luck and reach back there and touch the live spot. It will let you know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You THG or flex is not insulated on the buss bars when you cut it. You need to wrap a piece of electrical tape over the cut ends and over the soldered or connected ends. If you dont and you foil tape them its a direct short. Unless you have great luck and reach back there and touch the live spot. It will let you know.

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Thanks, I haven't used tape yet. I just have a heat pad on a temporary 10 gallon tank right now. I'm getting a t8 and will be using tape though, so thanks for the heads up. Just have to figure out if it's going to be flexwatt, thg, ultratherm or what. Any recommendation? :)