lighting question

[sansouci01]

I'm using an aqua ray 40 watt bulb for my 55 gallon community tank. I have no real plants in the tank. The light looks great but puts out a lot of heat. The temp under the hood reaches 102 degrees. Is there a light that I can use that still looks nice but gives off a little less heat? I have an led strip light that I use for blue light at night. It does change to white but it's just not bright enough to light the tank.

 

[Wroberson]

I went looking for aquaray lights and was expecting an incandescent bulb of some type. 102 degrees is over the top. I was going to suggest a CFL will give good like and a decent color, but I don't think it'll screw in to the hood or fixture.

102 is dangerous even for people.
Sorry can't help other than to mention that.

 

[calfishguy]

Have you considered hanging the fixture an inch above the tank so thatq the heat can disperse. Even putting it on small mounting legs should help IMO.

 

[sansouci01]

Sorry, I didn't mention it was a t-12 48" bulb. would a smaller bulb like a t-5 work?

 

[BBradbury]

55 G Lighting

I'm using an aqua ray 40 watt bulb for my 55 gallon community tank. I have no real plants in the tank. The light looks great but puts out a lot of heat. The temp under the hood reaches 102 degrees. Is there a light that I can use that still looks nice but gives off a little less heat? I have an led strip light that I use for blue light at night. It does change to white but it's just not bright enough to light the tank.

Hello sans...

The tube is likely a T12, which is fine for your 55 G as long as long as it's recommended for aquarium use. If it isn't, then you should replace it. Most hardware stores carry GE aquarium plant bulbs for under $10.00. You just need a 48 inch bulb. Either a 40 watt, T12 or a 32 watt, T8 will be fine as long as there are only low light plants in the tank.

B

 

[blert]

Sorry, I didn't mention it was a t-12 48" bulb. would a smaller bulb like a t-5 work?

A T5 bulb won't fit. You should be able to fit a T10 or T8 bulb as the connectors are the same size. The bulb will be overdriven though so not sure if it will help the heat issue.