halogens get very hot
Considering new lighting
I've had problems with algae growth since I switched to a brighter lamp. I think I want to go back to a relatively lower light level to help with the algae and create a more natural look.
I'm looking at some small floor/wall mount halogen spots (~10W ea) that I'd attach to a bar running along above the tank. Bad idea? Good idea? Why? Thanks.
I'm looking at some small floor/wall mount halogen spots (~10W ea) that I'd attach to a bar running along above the tank. Bad idea? Good idea? Why? Thanks.
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Yes, but these are tiny and would be situated some distance above the water. I think I can manage the heat.
i wouldnt do halogen. LED is the new way to go. less heat and controlable amount of light....
Drool. How's the shimmer effect on the substrate/rocks?
I am using halogen lights over some of my smaller tanks (less than 4'). The are the cheap puck lights hardware stores sell for cabinet lighting. They do a good job even for growing low light plants like Java Fern and Anubias. The main downside is that the bulbs don't last long if the lamps get the least amount of moisture and/or splashed water.Alowishus said:I've had problems with algae growth since I switched to a brighter lamp. I think I want to go back to a relatively lower light level to help with the algae and create a more natural look.
I'm looking at some small floor/wall mount halogen spots (~10W ea) that I'd attach to a bar running along above the tank. Bad idea? Good idea? Why? Thanks.
If you have life plants, they make use of intense light for 8-10 hours per day. If you cut down on intensity, you hurt your plants - or at least the slightly more light requiring ones. If you restrict your lighting to those 8-10 hours give plants the edge over algae, who can take up light for many more hours. If you don't have life plants, consider getting some, because they can out-compete algae for nutrients.
The shimmer is pretty awsome I really like it the only down side is that I have to get something to put in front of the light to cut down on the light between the tank and the fixture. Another post recomended some molding cut to fit. I will do that until Ibuild my canopy....the next project LOL :dancing:
fatcat--
Is that strip resting right on your glass top?
Where did you get it?
Is that strip resting right on your glass top?
Where did you get it?
no it has legs that extend to the edges of the tank. I see no reason why it could not go on the glass top. I dont because I have HOB filters and the output is very close to the glass tops I dont want water to get on the light. If you have a another type of filter or different HOB setup then they could go right on the glass. I got it at the LFS in waterford MI $139.00USD not bad when i figured that two t5 bulbs are 40 bucks. This is supposed to last 17,000 hours which for me would be over five years.
My Marineland LEDs rest directly on my glass canopy.
kevin
kevin
I might have been the guy who posted a while ago looking for solutions to solve that "gap issue" where you get glare off the glass canopy... I'm still cycling the tank so haven't yet gotten around to dealing with it, but besides the idea of getting molding strips and painting them black, I'm also thinking about putting some dark foam weatherstripping along the bottom of the front edge of the unit. Could work, eh? I also thought about playing with foam pipe insulation, which I might have to get to childproof a bunch of edges and corners in my house anyway... just need a little between the glass and the unit, seems to me.
Besides that, I like the look of the LED. It's a little bluish/high kelvin compared to the daylight 6700K look I've had in my other tank. I also have algae issues with my T5 HO twin tube setup. I have java fern in there, but it hasn't been enough to keep everything in balance. High temps, which I have from my poor canopy venting plus my pump, can exacerbate the issue for sure. I'd be worried about that with the halogen, too, unless you've got an exhaust fan. Our house has those "pucks" set up as under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, and I can feel the heat coming off of them when I'm standing 2-3 feet away.
Besides that, I like the look of the LED. It's a little bluish/high kelvin compared to the daylight 6700K look I've had in my other tank. I also have algae issues with my T5 HO twin tube setup. I have java fern in there, but it hasn't been enough to keep everything in balance. High temps, which I have from my poor canopy venting plus my pump, can exacerbate the issue for sure. I'd be worried about that with the halogen, too, unless you've got an exhaust fan. Our house has those "pucks" set up as under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, and I can feel the heat coming off of them when I'm standing 2-3 feet away.
My Marineland unit is sitting on my glass tops at this point as well - for the last 6 months or so. Before that, on a different tank, it was edge-to-edge.
the foam idea sounds interesting I placed a couple of my drumsticks...yes that is my other passion... betweeen the light and the glass and it worked great. I am going to get the molding tomorrow. I just feel safer with wood than something man made.....but that is just me LOL :fish: BTW thanks foir the post on stopping the light.
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