I have two 80watt reptile basics rhp hooked to 2 ve-200 t-stats that iv been using in my t8's one of which iv had for about 6 month the other iv had running for about 3 weeks and both are doing just fine holding very consistent temps. the only thing I have below the panel is a water dish and one of those half log hides but their is more than 6'' gap for air (trust me I measured lol)

I would love to see a pic of the set-up the OP had his panels in.