Heating question. Will this be a problem. Want advice.

[ohyeahnow]

I saw in one thread where someone was using foil with their UTH, and wanted some feedback on what I am trying. I attached the UTH to the tank and then taped the shiny side of aluminum foil over it. It is my hope that this will help spread the heat a little and be more efficient. Does any body see any problems or have advice?

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I don't see any problems with it in terms of fire hazard, but I'm honestly not sure how much it will help to dissipate the heat. Heating pads are very localized, so even taping that on the back may not do much.

If you're having probs with ambient temps I would suggest another heating pad on a lower setting, or preferrably upping the ambient temp of the room.

JonV

[ohyeahnow]

Thanks. My abient temps are doing fine. Aluminium foil's shiny side radiates heat. I am hoping that this will direct the heat coming off the bottom of the pad, the side not attatched to the aquarium upwards instead of downwards.

[Lunawf]

i wrapped mine in foil as well and secured it to the bottom of the tubs and the temp is more regulated then it was with out it.

[nevohraalnavnoj]

You can also back it some ReFlectix heat wrap...found at Lowes, for example.

JonV

[ohyeahnow]

Lunawf did you wrap the whole pad? If so did you leave the paper on that covers the adhesive backing? I attatched the pad first and then wraped with foil.

[ohyeahnow]

JonV funny you should mention that. I am getting ready to go to home depot because it was cheaper than lowes for ReFlectix. I am going to put poster board on three sides of my aquariums, and then cover the sides with Reflectix. I am assuming the poster board shouldn't affect the reflctix because of how it is used in homes. I have seen actics that have it attatched over the insulation.

[Pandora]

Does using the foil actually create a significant increase in heat being insulated? Let me know

[abhorrent]

I took a piece of aluminum foil about the size of my tank, taped the UTH to it and put the aluminum foil shiny side up underneath the tank (on the desk), with a 3/16" or so gap between the the desk and the tank. Worked fairly well and allowed for an airflow.

[Lunawf]

Lunawf did you wrap the whole pad? If so did you leave the paper on that covers the adhesive backing? I attatched the pad first and then wraped with foil.

yes i did, and to avid damaging it in case of a tank upgrade i left the adhesive backing one because it was new....and the other one it was used and the adhesive was already off, the only thing that i had to adjust was the temp...the dimmer that i used on the one with the adhesive backing, i had to turn up a little more to get the right time. It has been holding up for both the new and used one just fine for over a week.