Heating Acrylic?

[echoxxash]

Can an UTH be used on acrylic?
If not, I've heard a lot about heat tape here, so can that be used?

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

[Corvinedragon]

Yes, a UTH can be used on acrylic, to the best of my knowledge.
(At least, I hope it can.. because that's what I'm using.)

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

[John_E_Dove]

Sure they can Both be used. The only problem that should arise would be cause if your heater was out of control and melted the Acrylic in which case your reptile would likely have already been cooked anyway.
As with any heating system you need to be sure that a rheostatic or thermostatic switch is installed to prevent over heating.
Did the someone who said they could not be used give you a reason?

[echoxxash]

All righty, thanks, you two.

No one told me it couldn't be used, I was just confirming. Don't want to start a fire and kill everyone

[Corvinedragon]

Found this, maybe a little more informative than guessing.

"Combustibility - plexiglass Acrylic sheet is a combustible thermoplastic and should be treated as an ordinary combustible material such as wood. The self ignition temperature (spontaneous combustion) of acrylic is between 850 degree F and 869 degree F. The temperature at which the material will ignite in the presence of a flame is between 550 degree F and 570 degree F. While the ignition temperatures of acrylic are higher than that of most woods, it burns vigorously and generates heat rapidly when involved in fire. The primary products of acrylic combustion are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, however, burning acrylic plastic does not produce either excessive quantities of smoke or gasses more toxic than those produced by burning wood or paper. Observe fire precautions appropriate for comparable forms of wood and paper products.

Heat Resistance - The maximum "continuous service temperature" of plexiglass acrylic is between 180 degrees F and 200 degrees F depending on the particular use. This means that while the material can withstand higher temperatures for very short periods of time, it will soften and lose its form or shape if subjected to these higher temperatures for any period of time."


So I think we're pretty much safe from fire, but I wouldn't keep an unregulated heat source of any kind on it. (And now I need to go check the temp directly on my flexiwatt.)

[echoxxash]

Whew, yeah. I think we'll be safe. I don't even cook in the oven at 869F.

Thanks, Corvinedragon.