Lighting

[Nick]

My new tank is great but I can't run my lighting system for more than 30min. or so because the canopy is solid wood and the fixture naturally runs hot. I even had to take the legs off the fixture in order to have it fit under the canopy which pretty much eliminated the air circulation.

Are fans of some sort a good option? or really just a new fixture? The current one is a Coralife 48" 4 bulb t5 HO. I love the light but the thing just runs so damn hot. Just wanted to make sure there isn't some sort of trick or specific style fan that will help with the issue. Im pretty sure 2 36" t50 HO duel bulbs wont run nearly as hot so at this point I think that is the route i'm going to take.

[Luke]

They make small 120V fans that you could get.  Are there vents / openings in the canopy?  Perhaps you could try adding some towards the bottom and top in the back of it and see how that works before having to add a fan.

[gmaschke]

What kind of lights are you running?  Most people, me included, use more lights than needed for freshwater fish.  Some of mine have built in fans and are designed more for saltwater but the price was right so I bought them.   In hindsight I think cheap regular flourescent bulbs are cheaper and much cooler.

[Nick]

They make small 120V fans that you could get.  Are there vents / openings in the canopy?  Perhaps you could try adding some towards the bottom and top in the back of it and see how that works before having to add a fan.

Along the entire back it is open but it is only about a 4" hole that runs the length of the tank...the problem is the fixture even if raised up an inch off the glass lids still runs too hot to stay on for any prolonged period of time. I thought about drilling holes in the canopy but it is a very nice canopy and I dont want to mess it up. Any holes in the top no matter how well cut will ruin the look of the canopy.

Are the fans low profile specific for under an aquarium canopy? or is it just a generic fan that you put under?

[Luke]

http://www.amazon.com/110V-AC-Cooling-120mm-Power/dp/B004YUKWSW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331437572&sr=8-3 This is a highspeed fan, so although it moves more air it is louder.  You can buy grills to cover the faces of them and it may help you keep the canopy nice looking.

[Regalblue]

A couple of these should get you some air flow
http://www.amazon.com/110V-AC-Cooling-120mm-Power/dp/B004YUKWSW/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1331438502&sr=8-13

[Marty]

Why not look for a led tube light.  They'll last forever, use less electricity and produce almost no heat.  They're expensive, but are rated for a ridiculous amount of hours (I've seen them rated from 20,000-50,000 hours).

[Regalblue]

Lol Luke,  that's funny
you must've posted while I was searching

[Nick]

Why not look for a led tube light.  They'll last forever, use less electricity and produce almost no heat.  They're expensive, but are rated for a ridiculous amount of hours (I've seen them rated from 20,000-50,000 hours).

Suggested site to buy one? or just search it?

[Marty]

Don't have one offhand, just google it and I'm sure you'll find some sites.

[Nick]

So can I just put these LED tubes in my current fixture?

[Regalblue]

Here are the best priced LEDs that I have found.
 I'm not sure about the quality.  But, the price is nice.
http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Light-Underwater-T5-Light-s/22.htm

[Nick]

Here are the best priced LEDs that I have found.
 I'm not sure about the quality.  But, the price is nice.
http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Light-Underwater-T5-Light-s/22.htm

Thanks. I actually just found that site myself. lol. I was really hoping to actually see if anyone had used the LED tube bulbs in replacement of their existing aquarium fixtures.

[mightieskeeper]

Hey nick I use stunner led on my reef tank, best light ever. They come in different sizes. Check them out on ebay.  My buddy diy leds from rapidled.com nice looking but they are singles leds.