T8 heat tape and wooden stand

[Jarvis the Python]

Copied from another thread where I've had no responses...

I have my first T8 ordered, and am looking at what to set it on. I have in my garage a piece of cabinetry with countertop on it that use to hold a sink, which I am thinking of converting to a stand/table. It has cabinet doors in front where I could store cleaning supplies and such. I need to put a new top on it since currently it has a big hole where the sink was, and that's where my question comes in. The T8 is going to have heat tape on the bottom, and I need to know if I should do anything different than just setting the cage directly atop the wooden top (which I will build) of the stand? I am both thinking of safety, as in the wood potentially getting too hot, (although Herpstat should prevent heat tape failing in the "on" state, so maybe shouldn't be an issue?) as well as how to best direct the heat up into the cage. Like, should there be some kind of reflective or insulating layer between the cage and the stand. If my questions seem dumb, it's because I've only had my BP a few months and my only experience so far with under tank heating is the smallest UTH produced, very low wattage, and it's currently on a ceramic tile countertop. So I don't really know how much a heat-taped T8 bottom actually heats up. I welcome advice.

[PitOnTheProwl]

So I don't really know how much a heat-taped T8 bottom actually heats up. I welcome advice.

It will heat up to whatever your thermostat is set to.

[Sauzo]

I run all my AP T10s on top of a sheet of 1/2" sanded plywood on top of tables and have my Herpstats set anywhere from 86F to 92F and all seems good.