Will egg crate melt?

theclemsonkid

theclemsonkid

Member
I ordered the Current Nova Extreme 4x54 T5 VHO lighting system. I have a 48", 55 gallon which currently has the factory flourescent lights on it.
I have two questions:
1. Since the unit sits a few inches off the ground on the legs, will I need to get a piece of acrylic glass to keep the heat inside the tank that my old hood provided?
2. If I don't need the glass to keep in the heat, can I get some egg crate (for jumpers) without worrying about it melting from the T5's?
Thanks for any and all answers!
-Jonathan
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Not sure about your question about heat usually we are trying to keep the heat from our lights out of our tanks, and if heat is needed using a heater is a better route since you will have better control and it won't stop heating at night when the lights are out.
I don't think T5's will melt eggcrate but I don't have any of them so I am not familiar with their heat output, but eggcrate was originally designed as a light diffuser for HO flourescent lights and I believe I have even seen T5's behind eggcrate also.
 
notsonoob

notsonoob

Member
Yeah, I don't quite understand the heat inside the tank point. You want the heat to be evacuated out of the tank, or you could overheat the water with no control.
I doubt the lights would melt the egg crate, much like a MH light system would have, but if you are concerned about it you could also hang the lights.
I have egg crate on mine with PCs over it about the same distance as you have it without a problem and they get hot enough as well.
You could also put a small fan on the side to blow out any heat as well.
 
theclemsonkid

theclemsonkid

Member
thanks for the replies guys! I guess I was under the impression that the hood on a tank helps keep the water up to temperature but "trapping" the heat and not letting it escape?
Does that really not affect things all that much as far as temperature goes?
 
fats71

fats71

Active Member
u dont want hoods on the tank so as to providie the proper gas exchange egg crate the sucker up.
 
matt b

matt b

Active Member
Originally Posted by TheClemsonKid
http:///forum/post/2535600
thanks for the replies guys! I guess I was under the impression that the hood on a tank helps keep the water up to temperature but "trapping" the heat and not letting it escape?
Does that really not affect things all that much as far as temperature goes?
Well, You dont want your glass hoods cause they dont allow enuf gas gas exchange. And you NEED a heater so as long as you have a 200+ watt heater you should be fine. T5s do not make that much heat so the egg crate will be fine
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Originally Posted by dallas612
http:///forum/post/2535869
how about egg crate under 250 watt halide lighting?
I'll let you know for sure in about a week, I am going to put a piece on my tank and then another on the bottom of my hood. My lights sit about 10" off the water so I think the piece on the tank will be fine but I'm not sure about the piece on my hood since that will only be about 3" from the lights. I have 2-250w MH w/ 4- 65w PC's but I am going to give it shot anyway I'll only be out $5 if doesn't work.
 
earnit33

earnit33

Member
Got the same light ,and same tank,had to take out glass lids,got to hot here in Florida,I do have eggcrate now,without legs sitting on rubber stick on buttons that came with light and no problems. Hope that helps.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
I forgot about this thread but in case anyone wants to know I put eggcrate on my hood with 4 65w pc's and 2 250w MH's. I mounted the eggcrate about 2.5" from the halides and I don't run fans in my hood and the eggcrate seemed to hold up it did sag a 1/4" or so on one side but I don't think I had as many staples on that end. I ended up taking it off because it shaded my tank way too much especially with eggcrate on top of my tank also. It focused the light to directly under the halides and the edges of my tank were dark. I still have the eggcrate on top of my tank about 7" from my halides and it is holding up fine doesn't really get all that warm. I still don't care for the eggcrate because it still really shades the outside edges of my tank but until I find a better solution this will have to work.
 
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