Aquarium lighting question

wyattray

wyattray

New Member
I'm putting this light in a canopy, ill be venting it with 6 fans.

My questions are followed.
1. I was told I should retro fit it, take all the components out and attach it to the top. I really don't feel like that, I want to leave it intake in the metal cover. Is that an option?
2. I'm missing the glass cover, do I need to replace this cover or just leave it open. If I need to replace it what kind of material is needed for the cover? Will normal glass work? (Ive looked everywhere for a stock replacement)
3. My girlfriend is worried about it catching the canopy on fire, have you heard of this happening? It will be vented with a hole in each side for the the lights built in fans, 2 fans installed on the top of the canopy for venting hot air. 2 Fans on the back below the light to push in cool air.
Thanks for all the help, if I need to clarify anything please let me know.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by wyattray http:///t/394816/aquarium-lighting-question#post_3514229
I'm putting this light in a canopy, ill be venting it with 6 fans.

My questions are followed.
1. I was told I should retro fit it, take all the components out and attach it to the top. I really don't feel like that, I want to leave it intake in the metal cover. Is that an option? I would leave the light seperate. This way if you take the canopy off you still have light in your tank.
2. I'm missing the glass cover, do I need to replace this cover or just leave it open. If I need to replace it what kind of material is needed for the cover? Will normal glass work? (Ive looked everywhere for a stock replacement) Glass stops the tranfer of nitrite gas. I would look into a screen cover. Are you custom building a canopy?
3. My girlfriend is worried about it catching the canopy on fire, have you heard of this happening? No, unless you have a short then you have no protection. I would mount a plastic J box inside canopy. It will be vented with a hole in each side for the the lights built in fans, 2 fans installed on the top of the canopy for venting hot air. 2 Fans on the back below the light to push in cool air.
Thanks for all the help, if I need to clarify anything please let me know.
 
wyattray

wyattray

New Member
The canopy is not custom, its just your basic 2 door canopy and the top lifts out (On hingles) with an open back. I was planning on just setting the light on 6 heavy duty metal L brackets in the canopy I havent really found a guide to installing the light. I'm under the assumption as long as I secure it to the canopy and provide air flow it should be good to go. I'm going to place some egg crate over the top of the aquarium for a cover also. As for a Junction box, Ive already installed a GFCI outlet to run the aquarium, and I plan on using a surge protection also is that good enough for protection.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Your plan sounds good....Wouldn't worry about the lights missing a cover....I'd probably pull the 1's that are on the unit......
 
zeroc

zeroc

Member
I can't tell is that a MH fixture? I've never seen it happen since it never happened to me, just be aware that a splash of water on a hot bulb *could* case it to break. Others might have an opinion on that.
 
wyattray

wyattray

New Member
I'm going to fit the light in the canopy this weekend, I will update yall hopefully I can have the plumbing done here soon also.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
With your MH I would recommend keeping the light as high from the water as this fixture is now. I had a 400w MH and it would get some light misting from bubbles popping on the surface all the time. The only Issue I ran into was the occasional sizzle and cleaning issues. It became hard to get the salt off the bulb when it was literally melted to the glass.
In the two years I had the bulbs on tank I replaced them once.
The glass helps with cleaning as well as the possibility of splashing a hot bulb with a lot of cold water. I would imagine this could cause a bulb to burst. So all in all your fine without glass just harder to clean. If you do put something in the slots I recommend glass not plastic. MH lights get very hot and could melt plastic
 
wyattray

wyattray

New Member
Is there a certain glass to use to replace the lens? The guy I bought it from lost it in the move. I don't want to risk a bulb bursting and falling into the tank while I'm at work.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
What type of MH bulbs are they.....Single end or double end MH's......If Single end they don't need a cover and should be at least 12" off tank surface to prevent water splash.....As far as falling in.....The plastic shield will do nothing for that. I am assuming your bulbs are Single end since it's plastic......Double End would require glass......The covers are a hindrance. If they aren't kept clean they are blocking light.
 
wyattray

wyattray

New Member
They are single end, they will be about 12 inches off the water. I will go ahead and keep the glass off with no cover on the tank.
 
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