housing questions

[Eddie_Z]

I have a couple of very quick & basic housing questions. First, what sized heat pad would you suggest for a 55-65 gallon rubbermaid container? Second, is it alright to leave a heat pad on a wooden surface if it is on 24/7?? The stand that I have my tank on right now is wooden & since i went out & bought it specifically for Hissy's tank, I would like to be able to keep using it even after I upgrade. Right now she has a glass tank with a UTH so the heating system is not on the wood but rather the tank as I have the tank raised off the stand with spacers. So, would it be safe to have the human heating pad resting on the wood so long as I have the rubbermaid raised off of it?

Last but not least, Godfather, did you put up that new BP housing tutorial yet & I am just too damn blind to see it??

[MacWin]

You could do what I did with Bob's 40 gallon tank when I got it. I put paperback books under each of the 4 corners to let air get under the tank. 2 on each corner, yeah it's a little hoosiery but you gotta do what you gotta do

[Wizill]

thats an awesome idea, i can't believe i've never thought of it. being as how i'm a genius and all...

[Eddie_Z]

No no guys, lifting the rubbermaid off of the surface won't be the problem, what i am asking is will it be safe to have a heating pad sit on the wood of the stand all day every day? I am concerned that direct heat from the pad on a wooden surface (the surface of the stand) will be a fire hazzard.

[Smulkin]

We have 3 sitting directly on a large wooden bookcase - i don't think they get QUITE hot enough to worry about spontaneos combustion since they are rated for human use.

[Marla]

LOL, Smulkin. I sure hope not! That could explain why we never see grandma anymore, though ...

[Eddie_Z]

ah Smulkin, sometimes it takes a smart ass to show me just how little thought goes into some of the things that I say! LOL!! I feel mildly sheepish! :lol:

[Smulkin]

Smartass!? ME!? Well I NEVER!

Hehe kidding - I can't help it and hope I never come across nastily. It's not a stupid question - I sheepishly admit when we first started using them I put aluminum foil down underneath . . don't ask . . . it matches my aluminum hat that keeps out the KGB brainscans.

[Smynx]

LOL - yes everyone, that's my husband who loves to say "better a smartass than a dumbass!" But despite his sometimes scathing sarcastic wit, he doesn't have a mean bone in his body.

[Marla]

Don't knock it -- sarcasm is a trait that's bred for and trained in my family.