ZooMed UTH Not Sticking

[30secondstobob]

So.....today I bought one of those highly touted ZooMed UTHs for the new juvenile tank I'm setting up. (two new hatchlings today, four more eggs and a gravid female) My problem is that the ends of the UTH are not sticking to the glass. The glass was clean and dry - no different than the other three tanks I set up, but the UTH does not stick good at the corners.
My question - Can I use electrical tape to reinforce the holding of the ends up or will this increase the risk of fire? I know that electrical tape works well in my engine compartment with probably much higher temps, but i don't want to take unnecessary chances in the house. Has anyone done this before? Bob

 

[katie_]

Thats what I do with every pad I have.
They suck at sticking.

 

[30secondstobob]

Thank you Katie for the reply! I take it you've had it like that for a while and obviously no fires. My others are sticking fine - this is the first one I've had trouble with. I thought I could trust electrical tape - just not sure after a long time in direct contact with the heat source. Bob

 

[coker101]

hmm...I just stuck one on the bottom of a new setup I'm working on.

I'll have to look later and see if it's staying put.

 

[Dimidiata]

Yup, duct tape for me . Its happend with zoomed and zilla. I wonder if its just generaly bad for most UTH brands.

 

[rigomez4]

I have always used foil tape around the edges of my UTH. It is UL rated and sticks really well. Great for the edges of heat tape as well.

 

[leezard]

I use high temp duct tape just to be sure on all of mine.

 

[coker101]

Are these things really that dangerous as far as fires go?

 

[marauderhex]

I use Aluminum tape on UTHs that don't stick anymore. Always works fine for me.

 

[katie_]

I don't think you'll be at higher risk for fires if you use tape.
If your heat mat got hot enough to set tape on fire, what ever your tank is resting on would be on fire too.

 

[TranceZ]

I use Aluminum tape on UTHs that don't stick anymore. Always works fine for me.

I also used to do this. Those heat pads never really 'stricked' well.

 

[marauderhex]

I mostly buy ones that don't even come with a sticky side any more. I forget the name of the brand, but I can get larges for $15 at reptile shows and they work better for me than the Zilla or Zoo Med ones. It also helps that the guy who sells them is also the guy who I buy my caging from.

 

[Dimidiata]

I mostly buy ones that don't even come with a sticky side any more. I forget the name of the brand, but I can get larges for $15 at reptile shows and they work better for me than the Zilla or Zoo Med ones. It also helps that the guy who sells them is also the guy who I buy my caging from.

You need to get us the brand!! .

As far as fire, if your UTH is hot enough to start a fire...then its probably too hot.

 

[Adirondackgeckos]

I use Ultratherm Heat Pads, no sticky, I use the Aluminum tape as well. I get mine from The Bean Farm, I get the tape from there as well.

 

[jerrymb]

I just lay my pad under the tank without sticking it on. It works fine and the temps are good.