Attaching Heat tape

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Hey everyone I have a 55 g tank I would like to attach some heat tape to but I'm not sure how. I would like to attach it directly to the tank. My first thought was silicon... but would it hold ? My second, and last thought was aluminum tape(the stuff used on exhausts) . Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

[clint545]

I would go with the tape. That way, if need you can remove it easier than silicone, plus silicone may not stand up to the heat as well. Just my opinion.

[mykee]

I would not recommend attaching it directly to your tank for a few reasons;
1. Should leave an air gap for ventilation and proper heat distribution. Could overheat even on a dimmer, rheostat, or proportional thermostat and either char-broil your snake, or crack your tank.
2. Once you attach it, there really is no un-attaching it without doing damage to the tape and/or compromising it usefulness.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

I was going to have a space under the aquarium for air flow and not seal the heat tape all the way around. Store bought UTH's are made to affix directly to the bottom of an aquarium... what is the difference inbetween that and the heat tape.
If I were going to use it some other way how would I go about it?
Now I have all my UTHs stuck on pieces of glass that are raised for air flow under them and they seem to work fine.

[paulsreef]

The exo-terra under tank heaters are sticky on one side once you peel off the paper. They appear to resemble heat tape. I bought a self adhesive exo-terra UTH but I still haven't installled it. I plan on leaving the paper on so it doesn't stick to anything; lay it down on a shelf and just place the rubbermaid on top of it. If I ever want to throw the rubbermaid in the sink to wash it , I don't have to worry about getting it wet. In your case you wouldn't want to get the heat tape wet.
Paul.

[mykee]

UTH's are essentially heat tape with a fancy black coating, that cost 10 times more. I don't see a problem as long as there is adequate airflow, aside from the never being able to remove it thing.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Thanks for the replies and Mykee(and Invictus) your website is awesome

[mykee]

Thank you kindly.