The uth has to go under the tank. As stated you also need a thermostat to regulate the temp of the uth. I haven't used tanks for a long time but you can put things under it to get it off the dresser. I use to put pop bottle caps under the tank to prop it up a hair. I wasn't concerned with things starting on fire but was concerned with the tank sitting on the cord. There is absolutely no need for a lamp unless it is really cold in the room, like mid 60s or lower. If it is that cold then use a ceramic heat emitter.