UTH question

[sandybunny]

Hi, I currently use ceramic heat hooked to a rheostat. Also, the thermometer with a probe for reading. I bought a uth today because I was going to switch over. However, the tank sits on my dresser. When I got the uth home, I started reading the directions and it said it should not be on furniture. I have 2 small children so the tank has to be up out of their reach. I don't have an alternate place to put it. Should I just stick to ceramic, or does anyone have any input or solutions? Thanks. :shrugs:

 

[diamondlil]

What about that laminated foil windscreen device you can use to stop cars getting too hot while they're parked?

 

[sandybunny]

hmm...I do have one of those. That would probably keep my dresser from getting hot. Why didn't I think of that? :idea:

 

[zwyatt]

If you are worried about the heat (fire) a UTH that is regulated shouldn't get hot enough to catch a dresser on fire. I think the car things are more for reflective purposes, and that's why cars don't get hot. If you put a heat source directly on them they might still conduct that heat. In other words, I think they are supposed to be reflectors and not insulators...but I could be wrong.

 

[diamondlil]

I think you'll also need the tank raised on little feet so there's airflow underneath

 

[Checkerbelly]

I think putting the foil thing or even a stack of paper underneath will help. Some heat will go down, but the majority of the heat will want to go up. I don't think your dresser is in any real danger other than a discolored or warped finish if the UTH goes berzerk.

The heater isn't going to get over 100 degrees probably. That's much less than if you left the dresser out in the sun on a hot day.

 

[MerlinsPop]

Depending on the brand if UTH you got, it might have come with little rubber 'feet' to stick on the 4 corners of your tank. If not, you can always go to your local HD or Lowes and get some. Or if you have a set of coasters you got for Christmas one year that are too ugly to ever use as coasters, you can use them! Anything that you can use to get the tank a quarter inch or more up off your dresser to allow some airflow will do the trick.

 

[sandybunny]

I do like the idea of elevating it on feet. I'm not worried about fire, but I didn't want any discoloration or warping. We bought the suit just a few years ago, so I don't want any damage. Do all of you have your uth's stuck to the bottom of your tanks? Is it a pain to deal with?

 

[sandybunny]

Depending on the brand if UTH you got, it might have come with little rubber 'feet' to stick on the 4 corners of your tank.

You must have posted while I was typing. Mine does have the stickies. Thanks

 

[zwyatt]

I stick UTHs to a piece of picture frame glass. The glass helps to distribute the heat somewhat (theoretically) and makes it easy to switch the UTH between tanks (and for big cleaning days) since it doesn't have to be peeled off the bottom of the tank every time.

 

[Checkerbelly]

I have a cage that sits on a cheapo counter. The cage is elevated by little rubber feet and the UTH sits on the counter, not stuck to anything.

 

[serafino]

For those who don't know the things on cars work by radiating heat away from it. It usually has a lot of little fins so when air flows over it it takes the heat away. The maximize surface area so the can get rid of the heat faster. It wouldn't really work for a stationary object unless you have some really sophisticated water cooled thing that you hooked up to a pump. I doubt that though. I suggest you just put a towel under the tank to insulate it from your dresser.

 

[Callum]

i need to tell you somthing i need more info about icons :blowup:

 

[diamondlil]

For those who don't know the things on cars work by radiating heat away from it. It usually has a lot of little fins so when air flows over it it takes the heat away. The maximize surface area so the can get rid of the heat faster. It wouldn't really work for a stationary object unless you have some really sophisticated water cooled thing that you hooked up to a pump. I doubt that though. I suggest you just put a towel under the tank to insulate it from your dresser.

I think you're thinking of something different.The foil inserts for car windscreens are just a big piece of reflective layers, here's one

 

[Nanci]

The UTH should come with little stick on feet. I have four vivs on wood furniture, just on their little feet, and they have not harmed the wood. You can always buy feet at Home Depot. (In the picture with the vivs, I had Addy's viv on paint stir sticks temporarily. Now her viv has feet, though.

Nanci

 

[sandybunny]

Thanks Nanci, what a nice set up you have.