oh crap! I see what you mean, my deepest apologies! I meant to say 'never use an undertank heating element WITHOUT a thermostat or rheostat! my bad, I did not even catch that I left out a VERY important word, that JUST HAPPENED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE MEANING OF MY SENTANCE....sorry Deborah, my apologies....I did not even catch that, lol. everybody...listen to Deborah, NOT rick....lol. sorry