chetman7,

You definetly need to get a thermostat to regulate the heat pad(or a dimmer/rheostat at the very least). I had a heat pad with nothing to control it for a while(3-4weeks) and the pads temps were consistently 125 degrees and slightly higher at times. Luckily, I had aspen packed down so dense that the temp on the surface above it stayed below 95 usually(it did get to 98 once). My BP would have needed a shovel to burrow down below the substrate, however that is not a long term solution. Now I've invested in a Herpstat which isn't cheap, but keeps the temps on point. These guys live a long time so it's a small price to pay for there safety if you really think about it.

And follow the other advice that's been given also, the directions do say place on the side but your much better of sticking the pad underneath the tank on the hot side, with his hot side hide above it.