All-Glass Bow-Front AquriumOwners Help Needed--Lighting Gurus Input Needed

[beth]

As some of you know, I've been exploring the upgrading lighting question for my 72gal bow front aquarium made by allglass. It's just occurred to me that the plasic strip in the center of the aquarium which holds up the glass plates flanking each side [back to front of the aquarium] may actually melt under any other lighting above NO.
Anybody have AGA bow and use VHO, PC of MH lights? If so, do you use a 48" bulb for the expanse of the aquarium, or just shorter ones to go on either side? Also, I'm assuming the hotter lights can't be placed in strip light form on the glass cover?

[ May 02, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[mr . salty]

That does sound like a problem.I would think that if it actually is melting(not just getting real hot) then you will need either shorter bulbs on either side of this support,or raise the bulbs up away from it.Even an inch will make a diference.As for putting high temp bulbs in the existing strip,you probably can,but the ballast must match.(VHO's wont work in a NO strip without switching the ballast).

 

[beth]

What about the glass?...I suppose PC's or VHO can not go on top of a glass cover [which is what I have now]

 

[fixitdude2001]

Hi Beth, yes it will melt, this happened when we first put the MH over the bow, this is why I added two fans from radio shack to the bow and, it took care of this problem.. cya

 

[beth]

So do you have your MH's installed in a canopy? What? What is your lighting setup, and how do you cover the "bow" section if you don't have a canopy?

 

[fixitdude2001]

Hi Beth, yes built it my self, started out with 4 96 watt pc over the center of the tank , wanted lighting for the bow so I made it added 1- 400watt 12000k Mh, in the bow, experience heatup of the water and started to melt the center glass divider, added two fans from radio shack and problem whent away. could have done the set up a lot cheaper if I would have went with all retro kits but, I didnt, purchased pc-s all together with fan and canopy, I incorporated this with some handy wood work theMH was a retro kit, when I got the MH I then built the canopy to incorporate all of the lights..hope this helps, the acctual canopy with out the lights would have only run me under fifty dollars to build...cya

 

[surferboy]

On my 72g bow I have installed (4) 48" VHO's inside an Oceanic bow front cap. I have had no problems with this light setup melting anything.

 

[03]

beth why do you want halides?

 

[beth]

Surfer, what is canopy made of? I contacted All-Glass, and they told me that they don't make the canopy, but Oceanic did...but their canopy was made of formica. Which wouldn't exactly go well with a wood stand.
Mark, I haven't decided on type of lighting...seems like most hobbyst think MH is best. What do you think?

 

[03]

i think you are looking for problems down the road with heating the water when the lights are on unless you add fans or a chiller or you have ac in the room where the tank is ,but you don't need halides unless you are going reef and then you really don't need them with the new types of flouresent bulbs out there.it isn't going to do your fish any good. my 2 cents is save your$$$$ so you can take me to dinner.

 

[jond]

Can't help with what fits on your bow, but I just put VHO's on my 37 and couldn't be happier. I have them in a canopy and have a glass cover on the tank. No heat problems yet. I havn't run the lights more than 5 hours yet, easing into it. I may have to add a small fan. Oh yea, it is an icecap, they run the lights without much heat.
Good luck

 

[beth]

Mark, make you dinner??? Ha! You're the one that is the fish food chef! You make the dinner!

 

[slk3599]

Beth:
I have a 72 bowfront with PC lighting. I use the JBJ's - 4 96 watt bulbs. The unit has brackets that allows the lighting to be hung from the ceiling. Hence, I don't need a canopy. Actually until I hung the lights, it was sitting on top of the glass cover. Didn't have any problems with the brace melting after two months of contact. I finally got the lights hung this week. They hang about 2" from the top of the tank. And I can move them up and down to get to the tank to clean it.
Susan

 

[03]

so ill pass you want to eat fish food ???
what's up with that

 

[03]

anyway i said take me to dinner not make dinner .hey liz what do you know about blue spotted stingrays i have one that won't eat,maybe he ant's to go out for dinner too!lol

 

[foobaby]

Susan, i would like to know where you got 4X96 setup JBJ's?
i have looked at these lights and I haver never sen this arrangement in a hanging light. Only 4x55's.

 

[slk3599]

I got them thought my local lfs. I discussed it with him that I wanted these lights to hang from the ceiling ..he spoke with the people at JBJ and they have hanging brackets available. I was under the impression that they are available if you wanted to pay the extra money - which I did.