DIY CompactFl. lighting safety? - Aquarium Advice

Tiffi · 08-22-2005, 02:13 PM

Hi,

I've read that light fixtures over the aqarium should be mounted behind glass/acrylic to keep them away from moisture. It says otherwise it is a fire hazard.

The aquarium hoods with regular flurescent lights I had before where directly over the water without any glass or so.

Do I need to mount [acronym:dd8811eaf8="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:dd8811eaf8] behind glass for a [acronym:dd8811eaf8="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:dd8811eaf8]?

Thank you very much for your answers,
Vanessa

greenmaji · 08-22-2005, 02:51 PM

fire hazard and [acronym:6fbbd84d3d="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:6fbbd84d3d] ive not heard of.. [acronym:6fbbd84d3d="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6fbbd84d3d] lighting can blow bulbs from contact with water.. If your going to have a glass hood, I dont see why you would need glass on the strip itself..
are you going with AH supply or building it from scratch?

malkore · 08-22-2005, 04:41 PM

[acronym:7356543b9e="For what its worth"]FWIW[/acronym:7356543b9e], I remove the glass from my tanks and run them all open top, with the bulbs about 6" above the water.
my canopies are all designed so that the backs are open, and you can't get condesation inside. moisture around the bulb end caps is the real fire hazzard, or the ballasts in self contained fixtures (like coralife's) getting wet.

REally, the bigger hazzard is electrocution. Just be safe and you shouldn't have problems runnign without a glass top...though you'll have tons more evaporation.

Tiffi · 08-22-2005, 06:15 PM

I was planning on building a hood myself (I want Amano Shrimps and they might go for a walk) and probably leave the back open.
It's already a habit of mine to switch anything off before I touch the water anyway.
I"ve seen this: http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=135

Thought it's a good deal for a 70g if I can build it into my hood, since I don't like the design much. Will that be enough light for my 70g?

Hoovercat · 08-22-2005, 09:02 PM

That fixture will give you a little less than 2wpg but because of its design (2x22" bulbs) may be hard to provide equal light distribution over the tank. I would probably buy another like the one I bought for my 90 [acronym:512383a2d0="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:512383a2d0]. http://cgi.ebay.com/JEBO-48-220W-55w...QQcmdZViewItem

08-22-2005, 02:13 PM	#1
Tiffi Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: first ST-Germany, now TN-USA Posts: 1,052 Images: 19	DIY CompactFl. lighting safety? Hi, I've read that light fixtures over the aqarium should be mounted behind glass/acrylic to keep them away from moisture. It says otherwise it is a fire hazard. The aquarium hoods with regular flurescent lights I had before where directly over the water without any glass or so. Do I need to mount [acronym:dd8811eaf8="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:dd8811eaf8] behind glass for a [acronym:dd8811eaf8="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:dd8811eaf8]? Thank you very much for your answers, Vanessa

08-22-2005, 04:41 PM	#3
malkore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nebraska, USA Posts: 6,540	[acronym:7356543b9e="For what its worth"]FWIW[/acronym:7356543b9e], I remove the glass from my tanks and run them all open top, with the bulbs about 6" above the water. my canopies are all designed so that the backs are open, and you can't get condesation inside. moisture around the bulb end caps is the real fire hazzard, or the ballasts in self contained fixtures (like coralife's) getting wet. REally, the bigger hazzard is electrocution. Just be safe and you shouldn't have problems runnign without a glass top...though you'll have tons more evaporation. __________________ Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved My other passion: TheNinja 500R - updated 9/18/05

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
diy lighting	mumrah	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	3	08-05-2005 01:25 PM
DIY Lighting	Cdfortin	DIY Projects	8	01-04-2005 10:06 PM
GFCIs and Lighting Safety	aquafreak	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	1	11-02-2004 09:11 AM
DIY lighting	DRVNFAST	DIY Projects	12	09-26-2003 11:35 PM
DIY lighting?	rossv	DIY Projects	5	07-25-2003 05:42 PM

08-22-2005, 02:51 PM	#2
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	fire hazard and [acronym:6fbbd84d3d="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:6fbbd84d3d] ive not heard of.. [acronym:6fbbd84d3d="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6fbbd84d3d] lighting can blow bulbs from contact with water.. If your going to have a glass hood, I dont see why you would need glass on the strip itself.. are you going with AH supply or building it from scratch?

08-22-2005, 06:15 PM	#4
Tiffi Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: first ST-Germany, now TN-USA Posts: 1,052 Images: 19	I was planning on building a hood myself (I want Amano Shrimps and they might go for a walk) and probably leave the back open. It's already a habit of mine to switch anything off before I touch the water anyway. I"ve seen this: http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=135 Thought it's a good deal for a 70g if I can build it into my hood, since I don't like the design much. Will that be enough light for my 70g?

08-22-2005, 09:02 PM	#5
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	That fixture will give you a little less than 2wpg but because of its design (2x22" bulbs) may be hard to provide equal light distribution over the tank. I would probably buy another like the one I bought for my 90 [acronym:512383a2d0="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:512383a2d0]. http://cgi.ebay.com/JEBO-48-220W-55w...QQcmdZViewItem