What size Ultratherm?

[Brooke]

Hey guys! So, as some of you may know, I'm upgrading to a 90 gallon bowfront soon; I'll be picking it up this Friday. Before then, I need to figure out a couple of things. Firstly, do any of you have suggestions on what size of Ultratherm heater I would need to warm the entire tank without overheating it? I was thinking that my best option would be the 11"x35" pad so that it could stretch most of the tank's length, but I'm not sure. These are what I have to choose from:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

Also, I want to put a paper or plastic aquarium background on my tank. Is it safe for that to be in direct contact with an Ultratherm pad? Will it cause paper to catch fire? Plastic to melt? What if I make a cutout to fit it around the heat pad; will it pose an issue just being close to it or would that be ok?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[CallaLily]

You'll want the largest UTH that will fit on the outside back of your tank all or mostly above the substrate line.

[Brooke]

Thank you CallaLily! I'll get the biggest one they have, then. Do you have any experience with putting paper, such as a background, directly next to a UTH? Is it safe?

[CallaLily]

I decided better safe than sorry and removed my background before attaching the Ultratherm. I'm not sure if it would actually be a problem though.

[Brooke]

Ah, yeah it kinda makes me wary thinking about it. Thank you. Hmmm... in that case, here's an idea.. maybe if I try tracing the UTH's shape on the background, add 1/4" or 1/2" extra to each side, and cut that shape out, I can fit it around the heating pad and it won't touch it! Guess I could experiment with that. But now I'm just thinking out loud! Haha. Thanks for all your help, that was everything I needed to know!

[hermieluv1]

I have a background on my 55 with an Ultratherm right on top and it is fine. They don't get hot enough to catch fire.

Don't forget to insulate it. Some use cardboard. I use insulating board from Home depot.