Heating pad experiment.

[Python]

I'm guessing that you won't get very many stories of heat pads causing harm. If you do, my guess is they will almost universally be used on the bottom of the tank without any sort of buffer or protection. just plain pad against plain glass.

 

[EulersK]

I'm guessing that you won't get very many stories of heat pads causing harm. If you do, my guess is they will almost universally be used on the bottom of the tank without any sort of buffer or protection. just plain pad against plain glass.

Fact: Terrestrial tarantulas have the instinct to burrow down when hot. That's the only bit of information you need to determine that heat mats are a bad idea. I'm not sure why this is such a hot topic lately. Why do you need to see a pile of tarantula corpses to believe that heat mats are a bad idea?

 

[Ghost56]

Fact: Terrestrial tarantulas have the instinct to burrow down when hot.

Wouldn't putting the pad on the side fix that issue, and wouldn't the heat bath in previous posts also be a bad idea?

I know I'm going to get hammered for this, but I honestly believe if you use a pad with a low enough wattage that it doesn't exceed safe temps without a stat, there's really no reason it wouldn't be safe. Now people buying the correct heatpads, and correctly setting them up is a different story. If said things are done correctly, a pad would passively heat the enclosure just the same as heated air from a space heater or water bath. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Python]

Fact: Terrestrial tarantulas have the instinct to burrow down when hot. That's the only bit of information you need to determine that heat mats are a bad idea. I'm not sure why this is such a hot topic lately. Why do you need to see a pile of tarantula corpses to believe that heat mats are a bad idea?

I certainly hope your thought processes aren't so simple. I have not now, nor have I ever, advocated using a heat pad underneath an enclosure. In fact, I've never advocated attaching them to an enclosure. Let's move on. If, as I have recommended numerous times, one were to put a heat pad on the wall behind a tank or to the bottom of the shelf above a tank, it won't matter in the least whether a T burrows, climbs, flies or turns into a birthday cake because the heat source is out of reach. Also, the only bit of information that one needs to determine that heat mats are a bad idea is what makes them a bad idea. So far, I've not found anyone that can give me first hand experience when it comes to heat mats, used as I've said, being bad. I've found plenty of people that can tell me they are bad because it's obvious they are bad. I've found plenty of people that can tell me they are bad because everyone knows they are bad. I've even found plenty of people who can tell me they are bad because other people have had problems with them. What I cannot find is someone who is willing to provide evidence of any of those so called "facts". I also cannot find anyone who is willing to admit that what they are presenting as fact is really nothing more than opinion. The fact that I am presenting is nothing more than I have never had problems out of heat mats. Everything else is simply opinion. Are they better or worse than anything else? I don't know. Are they a viable source of heat if used properly? Absolutely.

 

[cold blood]

Heat bath is secondary heat, dissipated by water...no hotspots.

I've seen ts many times gravitate toward mats on the sides posted here in this forum over the years.

Direct heat sources are a big problem, although not the only one, with mats. Now mats caaaaan be used, they just shouldn't be in direct contact. To use them you would stick the pad on the back, side, whatever, of the large tank, heating that tank, then you place the t enclosures within that, providing a safer, gentler heat from the mat. I've seen a few people with really neat set ups doing this.

 

[EulersK]

I certainly hope your thought processes aren't so simple.

This sums up why this forum has developed a negative connotation over the years. A typical 'old timer' with a condescending tone, adopting a passive enough aggression so that it's easy to back off if need be. Thankfully, that cancer is slowly dying on this forum.

The sad part is that you have points to be made, but you present them in such an aggressive fashion that it makes people write you off. I don't really care about the argument of heat mats - they're your spiders, do what you will. But I do care how the forum is presented. Again, thankfully that cancer is dying.

Ignored, by the way. Don't bother replying, I won't see it.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Thermostats. That can be somewhat of a solution In the sense that you can eliminate the chances of cooking the spider. They are very commonly used in herptoculture. Which is admittedly much diffrent that keeping most tarantulas.
A light dimmer can work, but you have less control. I'm neither advocating or condemning the use of heat pads (I don't use them for mine) Some space heaters can raise the electric bill up a bit high, I've seen people mention that an oil heater lifted theirs about 30 dollars a month. Ihe water bath style has merit, but doesn't really make for an attractive display, which many people desire. Bulbs do dry things out too much, fine for arid reptiles like bearded dragons, not so good for many arachnids. Tiny in-enclosure campfires are right out, I cannot stress that enough.
Anyway, if one wishes to experiment with a pad beneath a tank, I think a thermostat would be a must. I can't decide if there would be a lot of benefit in regard to creating a good ambient temperature or not, but properly set it should eliminate the threat of broiled tarantulas, I think.

 

[Python]

Who has been advocating putting a pad under a tank? I've been very clear on how I've used them and how I recommend they be used but the only thing anybody can talk about is how dangerous they are under the tank. I'm not even talking about the tank within a tank thing. I'm talking about attaching to the back wall of a shelf or the bottom of the shelf above. Now it's ok to use them as indirect heat? I have asked and others have asked for any stories of a pad being used this way causing trouble and not a single one has presented itself. In fact, all of the naysayers here have not been able to produce anything whatsoever to back up their claims. I'm not saying they can't, but for some reason they won't. I've given my experience, and all I get is disagreement, people telling me I'm wrong and people ignoring me, but I've backed up what I've claimed with real world experience and so have others. The people claiming foul haven't produced anything at all. The sad thing is, they won't even admit that maybe the idea has merit even confronted with the fact that all of the anecdotal evidence lies on the side of pads being perfectly safe if used properly. Here's the challenge, produce some evidence or leave it alone. It's that simple. If you can't produce any evidence, which you haven't so far, then you do not have a leg to stand on. People have asked for evidence, you still refuse to provide it. If pads are that bad, the information should be readily available everywhere.

After a quick search, (I only went through about three pages) here on AB, I was unable to find a single instance of a heat pad being bad, I did however find several posts claiming that they are popular in Europe (I did not know that), many people have used them without incident (I did know that), and various other posts claiming that either they were fine to use based on other's experiences or people saying they were bad with nothing to back it up. After work I'll try to find something that will help you out on Google or something. I'll keep hunting though.

 

[Trenor]

I don't understand how a heat mat can get too hot. I don't know what kind of pads people here are referring too, but the one I have, and the heatcable don't get hot at all. I can comfortably hold it in my hand for long periods of time. The temp is 38°C at its core, and measured directly on the cable is 25°C. That is not nearly enough on its own to burn/ cook a T.
Maybe if it was directly under the enclosure, with no no way of cooling, the substrate might get hot. But that is just solved by putting it on top or at the sides of the enclosure.

I have several roach colonies that actually require heat to breed, so I provided them with heat mats. Concerned about the heat, I ran almost an identical experiment and came to the same conclusion. I housed the roaches, and all was well. At least until a layer of frass ("roach poo") built up, insulating the heat. It got hot enough to melt a hole the plastic tub they were in. Run your experiment again in an enclosure with actual dirt (with no spider in it). You'll find that the heat mat gets ridiculously hot.

This is why heat mats get too hot sometimes.A lot of heat mats are made to reach their rated/operating temps with open air flow around them. This means the open air will allow a lot of the heat to vent away from the area. Usually, it vents up into the enclosure/tank, but also out the air gap you should have between the heat pad and the top of what the enclosure tank is sitting on. If you close off the air flow around the heat pad then it'll get a lot hotter than it was rated as. Like covering the top with dirt or frass and then setting the enclosure on say carpet or flush on a shelf.

I'd think this is a big part what happened when people report their heat pad malfunctioned and got hot enough to crack glass or burn their pets etc.

 

[Python]

This is why heat mats get too hot sometimes.A lot of heat mats are made to reach their rated/operating temps with open are flow around them. This means the open air will allow a lot of the heat to vent away from the area. Usually, it vents up into the enclosure/tank, but also out the air gap you should have between the heat pad and the top of what the enclosure tank is sitting on. If you close off the air flow around the heat pad then it'll get a lot hotter than it was rated as. Like covering the top with dirt or frass and then setting the enclosure on say carpet or flush on a shelf.

I'd think this is a big part what happened when people report their heat pad malfunctioned and got hot enough to crack glass or burn their pets etc.

You are probably 100% right about that

 

[Andrea82]

This is why heat mats get too hot sometimes.A lot of heat mats are made to reach their rated/operating temps with open are flow around them. This means the open air will allow a lot of the heat to vent away from the area. Usually, it vents up into the enclosure/tank, but also out the air gap you should have between the heat pad and the top of what the enclosure tank is sitting on. If you close off the air flow around the heat pad then it'll get a lot hotter than it was rated as. Like covering the top with dirt or frass and then setting the enclosure on say carpet or flush on a shelf.

I'd think this is a big part what happened when people report their heat pad malfunctioned and got hot enough to crack glass or burn their pets etc.

In which case, the heat pad wasn't to blame, it were mistakes made by people that got T's in trouble, or what caused the glass to crack.

 

[Trenor]

In which case, the heat pad wasn't to blame, it were mistakes made by people that got T's in trouble, or what caused the glass to crack.

Right, in a lot of the cases it is misuse. In some cases it is people buying the wrong types. Some heat mats or bottom tank warmers are made to be used with water only. Their rating is valid only when using it on the bottom of the right sized tank that is full of water. Trying to use these with a dry tank will crack the glass as well. It doesn't help that all these heat mats look the same and often don't have their full info (water only etc) written on them. If I get a tank that has a heat mat on it anywhere I don't even try to figure out what kind it is. I just toss it.

While working with reptiles and knowing a lot of people who work with them, I've seen a few heat mats that had been vented properly malfunction (a electrical short can cause a lot of heat fast), get really hot, and then burn out completely. This can cause the temp to get high enough to injure pets to close when it happens. I've not seen a lot, but it does happen.

In the end, I still prefer ambient air heating in the room over mats and other forms of direct heating. Your much less likely to have issues IMO. Even so, I have to use a little bit of it for some of my reptiles but I take care how it is placed so it can't cause harm.

 

[awiec]

While a space heater is my choice, I did put a heat pad under a large block of 1 inch aluminum to radiate heat off. I would put enclosures close to it and they seemed to do just fine. This was at my boyfriends house which rarely got above the low 60s so I was concerned for some of my tropicals

 

[Trenor]

Who has been advocating putting a pad under a tank?

It's understandable why this is being brought up. All heat pads are made/designed to be used under enclosure/tanks. Every heat pad I have ever bought listed this as the correct way to use the heat pad in the instructions. Which is why people are commenting about bottom tank use. A lot of people use them this way.

Now if you go against the way they tell you to use the product and stick them on the side or on the top or even on the shelf above the enclosure you create a whole different set of issues.

On the side - you do have ventilation and not a lot of places for heat to build up. It is not meant to be used this way because most of your heat is not going to go into the enclosure. It's going to go right up the side and to the ceiling. A big part of the heat going into the enclosure is be induction where the mat meat the glass. It can cause a heat differential that can cause more moisture to vent out the top. It can warm sections of glass that can cause Ts to move and stay there which can help dehydrate them (just like any direct heating will).

On the top of the enclosure - see above with even more heat loss and less going into the enclosure. Less dry out/dehydration due to more of your heat going up without even reaching you're enclosure.

On the shelf about your enclosure - The shelf it is stuck to gets warmer than the enclosure you are trying to warm. If you stick it to the shelf using the adhesive that comes on most heat mats the shelf gets a lot warmer as you pointing the hot side to the wood.

On the back/top of a cabinet - IMO this is the best use. As long as the doors are closed then heat will build up in the cabinet. If you stick it to the top then you still have the top getting much warmer than the rest of the cabinet. If you stick it low on the back it's better. If you use the adhesive that comes with the pad again you're going to be pointing it the wrong way. In the end your doing the same thing that heating the room with a heat in this case. It's just a smaller room and the heater (IMO) is harder to control.

I really don't like heat lamps as their temps are really hard to regulate and they dry things out really quickly IME.

 

[Andrea82]

It's understandable why this is being brought up. All heat pads are made/designed to be used under enclosure/tanks. Every heat pad I have ever bought listed this as the correct way to use the heat pad in the instructions. Which is why people are commenting about bottom tank use. A lot of people use them this way.

Now if you go against the way they tell you to use the product and stick them on the side or on the top or even on the shelf above the enclosure you create a whole different set of issues.

On the side - you do have ventilation and not a lot of places for heat to build up. It is not meant to be used this way because most of your heat is not going to go into the enclosure. It's going to go right up the side and to the ceiling. A big part of the heat going into the enclosure is be induction where the mat meat the glass. It can cause a heat differential that can cause more moisture to vent out the top. It can warm sections of glass that can cause Ts to move and stay there which can help dehydrate them (just like any direct heating will).

On the top of the enclosure - see above with even more heat loss and less going into the enclosure. Less dry out/dehydration due to more of your heat going up without even reaching you're enclosure.

On the shelf about your enclosure - The shelf it is stuck to gets warmer than the enclosure you are trying to warm. If you stick it to the shelf using the adhesive that comes on most heat mats the shelf gets a lot warmer as you pointing the hot side to the wood.

On the back/top of a cabinet - IMO this is the best use. As long as the doors are closed then heat will build up in the cabinet. If you stick it to the top then you still have the top getting much warmer than the rest of the cabinet. If you stick it low on the back it's better. If you use the adhesive that comes with the pad again you're going to be pointing it the wrong way. In the end your doing the same thing that heating the room with a heat in this case. It's just a smaller room and the heater (IMO) is harder to control.

I really don't like heat lamps as they temps are really hard to regulate and they dry thing out really quickly IME.

We are talking about different heatpads i think. The heatpad I have has no adhesive to it, and has protective coating around it. I know the ones you're talking about, I wouldn't use them even if they were free. They look hideous and aren't safe at all, with the radiating parts so exposed.
I don't stick them to enclosures either, I just set them up like mini-space heaters, if I use the mat that is, most of the time I get enough warmth from my cable in combination with my central heating. The cable is looped between and over the enclosures.
I agree that this isn't the most effective way to get the enclosures on temp, but even with all the heat escaping, the cable and mat are still way more affordable energy-wise than those space heaters.

 

[Python]

Yeah, I was talking about the heat pads that one can get at any pharmacy, the ones made for therapeutic reasons. I don't have as much experience with the expensive stick on types although I have used them on occasion. I have never bought one though. The ones I have used presented no problems for me.

When I did use pads, no matter the type, the usual way was to put them n the back wall of the shelf I kept everything on. I've always kept everything on bookshelves but now I keep them on shop shelving units with no heat. They do, in fact radiate heat forward as well as up, and in an enclosed space, the heat will fill the space rather well without raising the temps too high. Also glass, being the poor insulator that it is, transmits heat rather well so being in close proximity, usually less than 5 inches or so, the enclosure temps do stay a bit higher than room temps.

Something else to think about, space heaters have on more than one occasion been implicated in house fires. I have personally had aquarium heaters explode when I was near them and I've found them burst in tanks several times as well. There is a reason they are encased in glass. Water and electricity do not mix. Actually they mix rather well but the outcome is usually bad. I've also had to cut power to get some out of tanks because something was causing the water to become electrified and it hurt quite a bit when I first discovered the condition. I only wish the fish had given me some sort of clue so I could avoid it but they never let on that something was amiss. I'm still not sure how they didn't get electrocuted.

I have tried using many methods back in the day when popular consensus was that everything needed heat, light, humidity and so on but back then I was more budget oriented than I am now. I was working at a pet store at the time and didn't have a lot of money so cheap was the order of the day. That meant the cheap heating pads from Walmart were the best option for me. I would occasionally get hold of something (heat lamp, ceramic emitter, heat rock or mat) that someone wouldn't want anymore and I would give it a try. I raised one of my rattlesnakes on a heat rock in a 4'x2'x2' enclosure with a regular light bulb inside controlled by a rheostat and that one grew from baby to adult with no issues. The ceramic emitters seemed to be the worst of them, burning out relatively quickly. Maybe quality has improved but I don't know. The rocks I didn't use very often at all but the ones I did use mostly burned out over time. Some of the mats never worked from the very beginning but the ones that did lasted a while and I ended up giving them away just as they had been given to me. The therapeutic pads were hit or miss as well. They all lasted a little while but some burned out pretty quickly while others lasted quite some time.

As I said, I don't use anything now, my house is usually around 70 or so year round. But I have no problems using pads or mats. I would put them behind the tank and let that be it. They do work, they are cheaper and safer than space heaters and they can be used and stored in a pretty compact space. Also, I use them myself for my back pretty regularly and I will lay directly on them. They do get hot without the benefit of airflow but on my back it feels good.

 

[Trenor]

We are talking about different heatpads i think. The heatpad I have has no adhesive to it, and has protective coating around it. I know the ones you're talking about, I wouldn't use them even if they were free. They look hideous and aren't safe at all, with the radiating parts so exposed.
I don't stick them to enclosures either, I just set them up like mini-space heaters, if I use the mat that is, most of the time I get enough warmth from my cable in combination with my central heating. The cable is looped between and over the enclosures.
I agree that this isn't the most effective way to get the enclosures on temp, but even with all the heat escaping, the cable and mat are still way more affordable energy-wise than those space heaters.

Yeah, I was talking about the heat pads that one can get at any pharmacy, the ones made for therapeutic reasons. I don't have as much experience with the expensive stick on types although I have used them on occasion. I have never bought one though. The ones I have used presented no problems for me.

I'd then qualify my statement when talking about therapeutic or heat blanket style heat pads because most people who are asking about them on here are looking at the tank/reptile/pet heat pads like these when they ask about their use. All of the pet type heat pads have a heat side and a cool side as I outlined above. By adhering to the enclosure it allows for better heat transfer to the inside of the enclosure (especially if it is full of water). The radiating parts are not exposed it's just not as insulated on one side as much as it is on the other. This allows the heat to go in the direction you want it to when used correctly.

Again, there is a big difference between the two. One is a typical pet heat pad and the other is a electric blanket style heat pad (made for people). You really can't talk about the two like they are the same because they work vastly different. The blanket one is made to warm itself which in turn warms you when you wrap it around yourself or something else. The pet heat pad is made to warm an enclosure by radiating and inducting heat into a pet enclosure. Both can be used but if the poster thinks you are saying pet heat pads works great when you're saying heating blanket style wraps work it'll cause them to misunderstand. Which could result in issues with their pets down the road if the pad isn't used right.

most of the time I get enough warmth from my cable in combination with my central heating. The cable is looped between and over the enclosures.

Heat cables are another animal all together IMO and should be qualified when talking about them to avoid confusion. They are usually used a lot different than heat pads and blankets (at least for reptiles which is where I've usually see them used the most).

Something else to think about, space heaters have on more than one occasion been implicated in house fires.

Some electric element space heaters can be sketchy but a lot of space heaters are pretty safe. Mine (an oil with elements heater) can be turned over on it's side on carpet and nothing happens. I had a paper plate on top of it to dry out a dead T and it never got above warm. Like anything else you have to look at what you are buying and make sure it is safe for use in your application. My heater doesn't add a lot to my power bill and I save more by not having to keep the whole house warmer during the winter. I just warm that one room and the rest of the house stays the temps I find the most comfortable which is much cooler. When I had the reptiles throughout the house it cost me much more heating all the rooms up to accommodate them then it does for the one room heating. Moving all the pets to the one room setting up heat separate heat for it was the best thing I did since keeping reptiles/pets IMO.

We just have to make sure we are talking about the same things so as not to confuse people. Then you just have to find what works for you.

 

[Python]

I'd then qualify my statement when talking about therapeutic or heat blanket style heat pads because most people who are asking about them on here are looking at the tank/reptile/pet heat pads like these when they ask about their use. All of the pet type heat pads have a heat side and a cool side as I outlined above. By adhering to the enclosure it allows for better heat transfer to the inside of the enclosure (especially if it is full of water). The radiating parts are not exposed it's just not as insulated on one side as much as it is on the other. This allows the heat to go in the direction you want it to when used correctly.

Again, there is a big difference between the two. One is a typical pet heat pad and the other is a electric blanket style heat pad (made for people). You really can't talk about the two like they are the same because they work vastly different. The blanket one is made to warm itself which in turn warms you when you wrap it around yourself or something else. The pet heat pad is made to warm an enclosure by radiating and inducting heat into a pet enclosure. Both can be used but if the poster thinks you are saying pet heat pads works great when you're saying heating blanket style wraps work it'll cause them to misunderstand. Which could result in issues with their pets down the road if the pad isn't used right.


Heat cables are another animal all together IMO and should be qualified when talking about them to avoid confusion. They are usually used a lot different than heat pads and blankets (at least for reptiles which is where I've usually see them used the most).


Some electric element space heaters can be sketchy but a lot of space heaters are pretty safe. Mine (an oil with elements heater) can be turned over on it's side on carpet and nothing happens. I had a paper plate on top of it to dry out a dead T and it never got above warm. Like anything else you have to look at what you are buying and make sure it is safe for use in your application. My heater doesn't add a lot to my power bill and I save more by not having to keep the whole house warmer during the winter. I just warm that one room and the rest of the house stays the temps I find the most comfortable which is much cooler. When I had the reptiles throughout the house it cost me much more heating all the rooms up to accommodate them then it does for the one room heating. Moving all the pets to the one room setting up heat separate heat for it was the best thing I did since keeping reptiles/pets IMO.

We just have to make sure we are talking about the same things so as not to confuse people. Then you just have to find what works for you.

You are correct about the differences in pads but the net result was always the same. They heated what I needed to heat, usually. One problem I had with the pet type heaters was once they were stuck to something, they usually remained that way. I've torn up a few trying to peel them off, usually so I could use the tank but sometimes to use the pad. As I said, I've never bought one.

The radiator style heaters are quite safe, this is true. I have one at work right now for some weird reason (it wasn't my idea). I did use one years ago when I had a job that required me to be in a little three sided shack with a curtain cobering the open side. It didn't do much good in the temps it was exposed to and many times I sat directly on it to try and keep warm. The one we have now doesn't need to overcome outdoor night time winter temps so it works just fine. The space heaters I was talking about are the electric jobs that look like an inside out toaster. Those things are an accident waiting to happen.

Really, I think it's up to the individual what they use and how they use it. I was merely adding my experience to the mix. Sadly there are those who, even when the evidence doesn't support their case, they will still staunchly defend it with no inclination to change their mind.

 

[Andrea82]

I'd then qualify my statement when talking about therapeutic or heat blanket style heat pads because most people who are asking about them on here are looking at the tank/reptile/pet heat pads like these when they ask about their use. All of the pet type heat pads have a heat side and a cool side as I outlined above. By adhering to the enclosure it allows for better heat transfer to the inside of the enclosure (especially if it is full of water). The radiating parts are not exposed it's just not as insulated on one side as much as it is on the other. This allows the heat to go in the direction you want it to when used correctly.

Again, there is a big difference between the two. One is a typical pet heat pad and the other is a electric blanket style heat pad (made for people). You really can't talk about the two like they are the same because they work vastly different. The blanket one is made to warm itself which in turn warms you when you wrap it around yourself or something else. The pet heat pad is made to warm an enclosure by radiating and inducting heat into a pet enclosure. Both can be used but if the poster thinks you are saying pet heat pads works great when you're saying heating blanket style wraps work it'll cause them to misunderstand. Which could result in issues with their pets down the road if the pad isn't used right.


Heat cables are another animal all together IMO and should be qualified when talking about them to avoid confusion. They are usually used a lot different than heat pads and blankets (at least for reptiles which is where I've usually see them used the most).


Some electric element space heaters can be sketchy but a lot of space heaters are pretty safe. Mine (an oil with elements heater) can be turned over on it's side on carpet and nothing happens. I had a paper plate on top of it to dry out a dead T and it never got above warm. Like anything else you have to look at what you are buying and make sure it is safe for use in your application. My heater doesn't add a lot to my power bill and I save more by not having to keep the whole house warmer during the winter. I just warm that one room and the rest of the house stays the temps I find the most comfortable which is much cooler. When I had the reptiles throughout the house it cost me much more heating all the rooms up to accommodate them then it does for the one room heating. Moving all the pets to the one room setting up heat separate heat for it was the best thing I did since keeping reptiles/pets IMO.

We just have to make sure we are talking about the same things so as not to confuse people. Then you just have to find what works for you.

Mine is for pet-use, not therapeutic use, just to be clear. It radiates warmth on both sides equally.

I keep my inverts in the smallest room in my house, except for the toiletroom, but it is still cheaper to use cable or mat than running a space heater. I've tried it. It cranked my energy bill up from 90€ a month to 175€. With the cable i don't pay anything extra.

 

[Trenor]

You are correct about the differences in pads but the net result was always the same. They heated what I needed to heat, usually.

Then end result might be the same but if you try to use a pet heat pad like you use a blanket style heat pad then it'll preform much worse than if you use it like it was meant to be used. It can also cause harm to pets if you use it incorrectly. Where as you can use the blanket style any of those ways and it'll do decent as it was designed to wrap around what you want to heat. That's why I think it's important to point out which type you are talking about when discussing the heat pad topic.

One problem I had with the pet type heaters was once they were stuck to something, they usually remained that way. I've torn up a few trying to peel them off, usually so I could use the tank but sometimes to use the pad. As I said, I've never bought one.

They are not meant to be removed and reused. The glue helps the pad stick to the enclosure surface to aid in heat transfer so they stick on pretty well. All the ones I have bought have noted they are permanent unless you're replacing them. Most of the time the elements get damaged when you try to peel them off due to the bending and the force used to break the adhesive.

The radiator style heaters are quite safe, this is true. I have one at work right now for some weird reason (it wasn't my idea). I did use one years ago when I had a job that required me to be in a little three sided shack with a curtain cobering the open side. It didn't do much good in the temps it was exposed to and many times I sat directly on it to try and keep warm.

Yeah, they were never designed to do that and can't keep up. When I did work on heavy equipment we used to use jet kerosene heaters to stay somewhat warm while working on large equipment inside and outside a big shop. Even those with their high heat output couldn't keep up if it was too cold.

In a 6x6x6 foot pump house my Dad has we use a ceramic pet bulb and a thermostat setup to keep it 42 degrees in there during the winter. Works great and barely runs since the pump house is insulated really well. Keeps the above ground pipes from freezing, cost very little to run, and doesn't burn out like the 120 watt light bulbs we used when I was a boy. Which you only knew burnt out when you woke up and there wasn't any water.

You just have to find the right heating solution for you and make sure you take into account the problems that can come form what you picked. IMO some are easy for new people to use and less likely to cause issues if you don't quite implement the right.