UTH use

[LNQuinn]

Does anyone have any experience with using UTHs for a glass tank that sits on a carpeted floor? My concern here, of course, is rooted in my lack of knowledge about how hot the UTHs get to the touch, and whether or not the described set up would pose a fire hazard. Thanks!

[Figure8]

I don't think it would be a good idea since under tank heaters can get as hot as 120°F. A thermostat wouldn't be a good safeguard against this since they can fail unexpectedly.

[LNQuinn]

That is certainly a very sensible observation.

Because we live in a rather small apartment, the heat lamps that we currently use, which are high wattage, emit enough heat to not only adequately warm our new BP, but also to roast us in the process. It is simply too hot in here, for us, by using our 100 or 150 watt bulbs. So I wonder if UTHs can remedy this situation. If they cannot be used on a carpeted floor, then we'll have to buy or make a wooden stand to support the tank upon; but only if the UTHs do not warm the surrounding area of the tank (the rest of that part of the apartment) to the same degree as a heat lamp would. What is your opinion?

[Thor26]

you can use one just make sure the tank is lifted like a 1/2 inch above the carpet cause it can overheat

[Indigo]

Add some feet to your tank. Two or three inch cubes might work. I ended up having to have my big guy's tub on the carpet, and it got so warm overnight he escaped to cool down! I stuck his tub on some spacers, and it was fine.

[LNQuinn]

Spacers? Wow, I never even thought of that. Thank you!

[Indigo]

Anything I can do to help. Hope it works for you!