Thanks for input, for those interested in developments, finally got enough arms and legs here to throw the tank over on its top, what my old eyes perceived to be custom wood underneath, as I peered up under one small corner, was in fact brown paper, stuck onto plastic. with foam on top. therefore, for future reference to others, putting an element underneath an Aqua R2 180 is a complete no brainer. I will now use the thin Tile heater under the second hand 6ft all glass tank I have, using the principles described by Forum contributors. I will use the 8.5 metre pyrotenax heating cable in the substrate of the Aqua one 180, stepping it down to 24 volts, which should produce about 250 watts, more than I need, but I will pulse it on and off by Thermostat. Cheers.