Incandescent tank hood

[TorPeteO]

I've got a 5-gallon tank and it's got two incandescent lightbulbs on it. Due to the heat these bulbs give off, the tank has increased in temperature up to nearly 35 degrees Celsius during the day down to 25 degrees Celsius at night. I don't think this kind of temperature change is good for the fish.

The solution I am going to attempt is to install one or two small fans, similar to the ones in computer towers, to increase the air flow over the water's surface and blow the hot air from the bulbs away from the water's surface. This, I hope, will solve, or at least help to solve, the overheating.

If anyone else has experienced similar problems, I would appreciate hearing your solutions. Or if you see a reason why my solution wouldn't work, please tell me.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

 

[Yeaulman]

That might work but why not go to a hardware/light store and get a fluorescent bulb that screws into the light socket you have existing? I did that on my old 5 gallon bow front and didnt see a change in temperature

 

[TorPeteO]

I didn't even know they had those, that could be very useful information, thank you. One possible problem is that my hood's socket is in the middle, and two bulbs extend from it towards the ends of the hood. I don't know how long the flourescents that screw into incandescent sockets are, but if they're too long, they won't fit.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Discomafia]

I didn't even know they had those, that could be very useful information, thank you. One possible problem is that my hood's socket is in the middle, and two bulbs extend from it towards the ends of the hood. I don't know how long the flourescents that screw into incandescent sockets are, but if they're too long, they won't fit.

Thanks for the tip!

Do they have that? fluorescent bulbs that can be fitted into an incadescant tank's hood? They musn't be the strip ones that are long, but the small ones that can attach itself to the socket in the middle... If so, I better check this out. What kid of wattage are they sold in?

Cheers,

 

[Yeaulman]

I dont know what wattages they have them in, but I know that one of them is equal to a 60 watt incandescent bulb and can last for 400x as long

 

[Discomafia]

I dont know what wattages they have them in, but I know that one of them is equal to a 60 watt incandescent bulb and can last for 400x as long

Do they sell them at Home Depot ? Canadian Tire or Rona even? I've never seen one in my area.

Cheers,

 

[cutechic]

All three of the above stores should sell "compact fluorescent bulbs". These will screw into an incandescent socket, so they will work for small hoods (they're approximately the same length as incandescent bulbs, too). I use fluorescents on all my tanks now because they're so efficient- it only marginally changes the temperature of the water.

The Rona near me sells 10W and 20W bulbs, with different light outputs. They've probably got more wattages, but those are the two I've checked out.

Oh, and the brand of compact fluorescents that my hardware store carries is "Sylvania".

HTH

 

[Lateral Line]

Make sure you measure your hood before you go out and buy them. In my experience, the compacts are always somewhat larger than incandescent lamps.

 

[chkltcow]

And make sure you have clearance because the diameter of the bulb is a lot bigger than the incandescent too, due to the ballast on the base. Mine barely fit in a minibow 5 hood.

 

[Discomafia]

...due to the ballast on the base.

Uh... What does that mean? And would something like this do?

http/www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=8729

Cheers,

 

[jams.alaskan]

just swapped one of the stock lights with a compact flourescent and noticed the temp change right away - it also is far brighter - this is in a ten gal hood - the bulb was longer but not thicker...

ALASKA

 

[Discomafia]

What about this one?

http/www.homedepot.ca/escalate/store/Det...1cbe:&pc=169811

 

[chkltcow]

I have the Coralife in my Minibow hood. See what I mean about how it bulges out right above the metal screw in area? The hood MAY be made just for those slim incandescant bulbs, and that may not fit.

If you're wanting to grow plants, get the Coralife bulb. If you're not, just get those from Home Depot.

Edit: It was 5:30 am here when I posted so my brain wasn't functioning properly. If you want plants, get the Coralife bulb you posted.... Coralife 50/50 is Actinic 03/10,000K..... a saltwater/reef bulb.

 

[Discomafia]

I have the Coralife in my Minibow hood. See what I mean about how it bulges out right above the metal screw in area? The hood MAY be made just for those slim incandescant bulbs, and that may not fit.

Ahhh I see what you mean now. I'll just get the one from Home Depot then... Thanks for all the help guys!

Cheers,