Is this a submersible light bar?

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

This came with my second hand 22g tank, it does work! But never had one you can submerge before, and mixing water and electricity, I'm always nervous!

Desperately need a light on a tank, so unearthing this one made me happy! Was thinking perhaps just water resistant rather than waterproof, and I could put it above the waterline without worrying about it getting splashed, but does look so much like the ones I've seen advertised that u can place on the bottom of the tank inside!

So seeking opinions please!

 

[Magnum Man]

Looks sealed

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Looks sealed

Thank for you the reply!!

Perhaps I should test it out in a bucket or something first, so the worst that happens in a blown fuse, not cooked fish!

 

[Magnum Man]

Most modern tank electronics are protected against shocks/ shorts…. I just recently had a digital heater control, that relied on sticky tape ( I hate those ) just recently fell into the tank, it doesn’t work anymore, but didn’t trip the fuse, or fry the fish

 

[Essjay]

I wouldn't use it in water. Most of these tubes are meant to be used in lids.

 

[TNG]

The round-tube LED light with suction cups are meant to stick to the glass inside the tank.

You can stick it above the water line rather than fully submerged, that will reduce algae growth on the light and make it easier for tank maintenance.

If you’re comfortable with having a heater in the tank, there shouldn't be a concern with a submersible or waterproof LED light since it draws much lower current than a heater. The 2nd photo shows that it draws 10W (watts) of electricity, which is 5 times less than a 50W submersible heater or 10 times less than a 100W.

Looks like a good light to me.

 

[Essjay]

I once bought a small LED light which had the IP rating for fully submersible like the one in the photo ^ . Within a few days there was water inside the tube and the individual LEDs stopped working one by one. Within a week of buying it only half the LEDs worked. The manufacturer sent a replacement and I use that laid on top of the cover glass - being small it comes on as the main lights go out to step down to full darkness..
It was an Aracdia "Classica" light, a well known brand at the time, not an cheap unbranded light.

 

[MaloK]

habitually IP68 means that can be submerged in water under specific conditions (usually up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)

This one is rated 1 meter, so I would think that it is good for 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.

IP68 is water resistant but not waterproof.

 

[GaryE]

Submerged lights are disturbing to most fish, as they mess with their orientation to the surface.

 

[TNG]

Virtually, all aquarium heaters are rated IP68 anyway. If the heaters can be fully submerged, so can the lights with the same rated of IP68. Whether they will affect the fish when placed at the bottom of the tank is another consideration.

 

[MaloK]

For sure, there should be no ingress when used above the rated depth.

 

[Essjay]

IP67 is for up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.

For IP68
First digit = 6

Full protection against dust and other particulates, including a vacuum seal, tested against continuous airflow

Second digit = 8

Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure i.e. greater depths. Precise parameters of this test will be set and advertised by the manufacturer and may include additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type

IP Ratings Explained | RS

This guide covers ingress protection ratings, IP classifications, and available IP-rated products, providing insight into their uses and applications.

uk.rs-online.com

My light was IP68. When the tube leaked, the manufacturer told me it was the individual LEDs that were IP68 and not to worry about the water in the tube. But they still stopped working.

 

[MaloK]

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I'll likely be keeping this above the water line! I just felt nervous even doing that without running it by you all first!

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Wanted it above anyway, since it's for growing plants rather than trying to create mood-lighting, but despite coming with suction cups, I wanted to know it's not going to fry my fish if it falls in, since suction cups aren't always 100% reliable! But putting it outside the tank seems like it wouldn't be very effective, and wouldn't really be able to secure it under the lid very well either