Lights for 30L

[bubbletip1]

SO I"m a newbie and have a "quick" question. I am building a DIY hood, how high should my VHO bulbs be above the water?? And should i have glass between the bulbs and water?

Any input would be great!

 

[mkirda]

SO I"m a newbie and have a "quick" question. I am building a DIY hood, how high should my VHO bulbs be above the water?? And should i have glass between the bulbs and water?

Any input would be great!

I have seen a lot of tanks both with and without glass covers. With glass, the bulbs are often resting right on the glass.

Pluses: Easy
Minuses: Heat buildup. Less gas exchange. Will get dirty quickly, requiring cleaning. Cuts down on light, especially when dirty.

Without glass:
Pluses: Better light transmission, better gas exchange, less heat buildup. One less thing to clean.
Minuses: Lights get covered in salt spray. Need better quality endcaps. Typically need a hood.

Bulbs are normally anywhere from 1.5" to 6" off the water's surface.

Hope this helps.
Mike Kirda

 

[bubbletip1]

This does help.

I have a design now that has them app. 5" above the water line with glass.

Maybe I will go with Lexan and drill so holes in it to help with the gass exchange.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[ChrisRD]

I have a design now that has them app. 5" above the water line with glass.

Maybe I will go with Lexan and drill so holes in it to help with the gass exchange.

IMO the Lexan will not be necessary with your VHO lamps 5" above the water. In fact, I'd suggest skipping it for the reasons Mike pointed out above.

 

[Len]

I'd go without any glass/lexan barrier as well. No need. I've had VHOs as close as 2" from the water, but 5-6" is a good target figure.

BTW,

 

[bubbletip1]

Thanks for a ll the feedback. I am going with no glass no laxan, just air space! (plus it will save me some time).
:lol: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

I highly siggest you use glass under that light. Just clean the glass periodically. If you use Metal Halide Pendants this is not required.

 

[ChrisRD]

I highly siggest you use glass under that light.

Why?

If you use Metal Halide Pendants this is not required.

It's not required with fluorescent lighting either.

 

[Anonymous]

Have you ever seen what happenes to lights without glass protecting them form the salt water? Pendants can be hung high enough to protect the light fixture.

 

[ChrisRD]

Have you ever seen what happenes to lights without glass protecting them form the salt water? Pendants can be hung high enough to protect the light fixture.

Yes, I've owned tanks with fluorescent tubes and no glass (and also with glass). If the lights are 5" above the water (as they are in this case) and you don't have too much splashing or gurgling going on at the surface it will be fine IME.