Setting up bins without a rack

[AcinonyxJubatus]

Greetings. I am trying to set up some dollar-store plastic bins as temporary (a few months) homes for some snakes while I wait for their rack to arrive. My question is about heating. I plan on using Ultratherm heat pads for this temporary setup, and I need some advice on how to do it properly.


-Will I need insulation between the bins and the pads to prevent melting plastic?

-If I stack the bins on top of each other, will I need to jury-rig a frame to keep the heat pads from warming two bins at once? If so, will a thin block of styrofoam, wood or some other insulator work?

-Would it be better to stick the pads to the bottom of the bin, or the lid?


Thank you.