Cooling Fan needed for VHO Hood?

[jeff903]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out on my lighting question from the previous post. I have a new one though, I am going to purchase a ballast kit which is for 2 VHO bulbs and am going to custom make a wood hood for this. Do I need to install a cooling fan right away, or does anyone know how hot these lights get....I read in a previous post that they don't get that hot so I'm not sure if I should worry about it or not. It'll be 2 36" 96w bulbs. Thanks

 

[von_rahvin]

they get hot, but the problem is not with the bulbs but heating up the surface of the water. that many watts can change the temp of the water a few degrees.

 

[caymanlovers]

I'm not sure where you were planning to put your ballast but you can also reduce the heat in the hood by locating your ballast near the power source rather than in the hood with the bulbs. May have been what you planned.

 

[blueberryboomer]

Jeff, I would add some fans when you put the new lights in, my hubby,(fixit) has put fans in both of our tanks, he bought them from Radio Shack and cut holes in the canopy for them. They work great and keep the water from getting hot..Lisa

 

[von_rahvin]

could not resist look at my earlier post on light hoods
check out computer case fans online you might fall in love

 

[beth]

E-ballasts make everything run cooler, so that is a consideration. Also, Icecap sells very pricy cooling fans that have a thermostat.