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07-08-2008, 11:42 PM
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#1
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 250
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Routine water change, not so much !
So my normal routine water change turned out to be five hours long today when i decided to replace my bulbs in my power compact fixture. For starter some how i crack the plastic covering that covers up the lights. Since I dont cover my tank, and salt seems to somehow get all over my fixture i decided it would prob be a very bad idea to leave the fixture open. I ran to lowes and picked up a sheet of plexi glass, had to cut it, however it did all work out and I have that piece replaced now. So then I decided to take out the bulbs, low and behold I bust two of the eight rubberbands that keep the bulbs in place. I set the fixture up, the bulbs are in place and it doesnt look as if they are going to fall out. Do I need to replace these rubberbands or will I be ok. If I need to replace them will just a regular rubberband do?
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07-08-2008, 11:51 PM
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#2
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AA Team Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,462
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What brand of fixture do you have? I've called Coralife before and they've sent me free bands; however, you can purchase bands for relatively little online or in a lfs. Call a few lfs to see what they have in stock
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07-08-2008, 11:57 PM
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#3
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 11,423
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~Cindy
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07-09-2008, 12:05 AM
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#4
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 250
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I have a coralife fixture. Those are exactly the bands that I do need but I just cant see a reason to place an order for just that, and I just recieved a big order from an online dealer the otherday. I will check the lfs in a day or two, should I be ok without them for a while? If the lights are still in place without them - will they stay in place?
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07-09-2008, 12:08 AM
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#5
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AA Team Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,462
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They should stay in place as long as the clips are secure and snap in place until you can find replacement bands.
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07-09-2008, 12:59 AM
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#6
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BCM
Posts: 1,225
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Plexiglass tends to discolor and become brittle over time. I'm not sure if that is the exact material that came on the fixture. Normally Lexan is a better choice b/c it does not do this. This is coming from an automotive background so not sure how it applies to aquariums. Except that I have read that plexiglass is normally a bad choice for a hood/cover because of what I mentioned and it can sag with weight.
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10G,Planted- Endler's Livebearers+RCS, 55G,planted
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt_Nelson
Understanding the basics will let you make informed decisions on what advice to follow, and what advice is just plain hooey!
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07-09-2008, 02:03 AM
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#7
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AA Team Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Seattle-ish, WA
Posts: 5,340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshsReef
I have a coralife fixture. Those are exactly the bands that I do need but I just cant see a reason to place an order for just that, and I just recieved a big order from an online dealer the otherday. I will check the lfs in a day or two, should I be ok without them for a while? If the lights are still in place without them - will they stay in place?
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No worries... I have a coralife fixture with the same rubber bands. Ran it 6 months between bulb changes without them once as they ALL broke when I was replacing bulbs. The next time I bought replacement bulbs, I just bought new bands (+ extras!) too. The clips will hold just fine - but it IS nice to have that extra piece of mind.
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07-09-2008, 10:17 AM
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#8
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AA Team Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 13,858
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When I got my lighting fixture, one of them was broke. I haven't replaced it in a year and it is still attached. I even bought the rubber bands from drsfosterandsmith.com, part number 53050.
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07-09-2008, 02:53 PM
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#9
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AA Team Emeritus


Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Belle Mead, NJ
Posts: 7,815
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I did the same as Kurt. I now have a few packets in stock for when I do a change. Every time I order bulbs I order another kit just in case. You can probably run fine without it, but I agree on the extra insurance. Coralife wouldn't use them if they didn't think there was a possibility of needing them.
These are HIGH HEAT retaining bands. Rubberbands won't last more than a few hours, if teh even last that long.
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07-09-2008, 03:24 PM
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#10
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SW REEF 20+ YEARS
Community Admin



Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 39,111
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Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.
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