As long as the tank is slightly raised and you have all of your heating elements on thermostats I don't think you have to worry about fire. As far as something that looks better than foil...you can use a towel or maybe some plastic of some kind. I found the foil works better than the towel did. Also you can cut a hole in the foil and place the heat lamp on top of it. It helps hold in the heat and no fire hazard. If you use a towel or plastic and put to close to the heat lamp it can def catch on fire. I have a power strip with a time side and an always on side. I plug my light lamp into the timer side and both thermostats on the always on side. So far that has been working great. My lamp stays on aprox. 12 a day and off for 12. Although I have seen people say the extra light is not necessary, I just like to have the tank lighted. He pretty much stays hidden all day anyways. I'll take some pics of my set up for you.

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