Explain what the purpose of having a thermostat is. I know it is to control temps, but if room temps are stable and I check on it very often( I am cyber schooled),is it really necessary? To be totally honest, my absolute max budget is 75 bucks. Cant I just use my thermometer to monitor the temps, and if it gets too hot, turn it off. I have one of those round thermometers, the zilla one, and couldn't I just place it on the warm side to monitor temps? Are UTH's prone to power surges?

Where to the UTH's go? Like in the tank, outside of it, what?