Glass or plastic between the tank & lights?

B

bfons

AC Members
Feb 26, 2005
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Guys,

I finally upgraded my lighting and boy am I pleased! I am using the Coralife 36" Lunar Aqualight 2x96W .

Here is my problem. I do not have a hood so the lights are sitting on the tank directly. The heat from the bulbs is making wator evaporate rather quickly. Not to mention, the fear that it will slip in is freaking me out.

What is better to use as the barrier between the top of the tank and the lights? Will glass be too hot? Will plastic affect the spectrum and make the lights less effective?

TIA,

Brian
 
I would use glass & ASAP!
condensation & water splashing around on the bulb could cause them to pop or explode. That could kill everything.
Unless I misunderstood, hopefully the light system has something between the bulbs & water. But if the thing falls in ,that would be real bad.
Nice lights though. :)
good luck
DREW
 
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I have a similar question, but first I want to see if I understand your dilemma. Are your lights considerably bigger than your tank? Are they just sitting on the rim of the tank? Is there already a lens cover over the bulbs? That does sound dangerous. My question is if I get a light system that is held by brackets over a tank do I still need a glass cover? Would the glass make the lights hotter? Is there another option? Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but the questions are really close. :)
 
yes Drew use Glass!! cthopper you to! One drop of water on those halide light or the light cover if attached and popp goes the light bulb.
Hth
Chris
 
cthopper said:
I have a similar question, but first I want to see if I understand your dilemma. Are your lights considerably bigger than your tank? Are they just sitting on the rim of the tank? Is there already a lens cover over the bulbs? That does sound dangerous. My question is if I get a light system that is held by brackets over a tank do I still need a glass cover? Would the glass make the lights hotter? Is there another option? Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but the questions are really close. :)
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No prob.

My lights fit my tank as they are 36" as is my tank. There is a plate of glass that are part of the actual light fixture. The problem is that it sits right on the edge (prob #1) and it puts off too much heat and makes my tank evaporate like mad (prob #2). Actually, I now see Problem #3 as water is condensing on the glass from the light fixture. I am going to run to Home Depot tomorrow and have a plate of glass cut. This will basically be a buffer between the water and the light fixture.
 
I used a similar fixture with nothing between it and the tank. Just used the legs, which allowed better air circulation and kept it more stable.
 
maxilaria said:
One drop of water on those halide light or the light cover if attached and popp goes the light bulb.
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Maybe Im misreading the posts, but I dont see anyone talking about MH...

Generally I dont use cover glass unless the CF bulbs are closer than 5" to the water, or in the case of MH, about 8".
 
mogurnda said:
I used a similar fixture with nothing between it and the tank. Just used the legs, which allowed better air circulation and kept it more stable.
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Where did you find the legs at? That would be cool.

Thx,

BFons
 
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