Is it ok for the heater to touch the substrate?

[Bwana]

My fish like to hide under the heater...
Would it be ok to move the heater down so it's touching the substrate? It's a glass submersible (obviously) heater.

I also just moved some things around, hoping to lure them away to better hiding spots.

[aquariumfishguy]

Well...it might not "hurt" the substrate, but I don't think it's needed. If the fish are uncomfortable, perhaps they will move on their own.

Maybe the heating needs to be moved towards your filter (or air stone?) so that it can spread throughout the tank...;)