Keeping Condensation Off Your Lighting

[AndyTaylor]

I'm trying to build a T5 lighting kit for my 170L but can't get waterproof lampholders. Is there a reliable way to keep lighting dry. What does a condensation tray do, or glass covers.
OR, does anyone know where to get waterproof T5 lampholders?

Thanks again.

Andy

 

[emo]

I use a condensation tray in my tanks, all it does is when the water evaporates from the tank it collects on the underside of the tray, and drips back into the tank. You do still get slight evaporation from the corners, but i've never had a problem with condensation getting into my lights.

 

[kris-b-]

But if you have a condensation tray don't you have to then lift yur hood off to lift the tray off to gain access to your tank?

 

[zig]

I use glass covers that i made, they run along the glass braceing on the front and back pane of glass, they are basically 2 sheets of 4mm glass that slide over each other, each pane of glass has a corner cut off at the back so i can run piping for spraybars and heaters etc. So for feeding and light maintainence i just slide one of the covers back and for heavier maintainence i remove the hood alltogether, ive never had an issue with condensation using this method it just builds up on the glass and burns off when the lights go on. One sheet of glass overlaps the other by about 2 inches.

 

[donkey]

i dont have anything over my lights and i never have any problems . what kind of lampholders are you using at the moment

 

[emo]

But if you have a condensation tray don't you have to then lift yur hood off to lift the tray off to gain access to your tank?

The lip of my DIY hoods sit on the outside of the tank, rather than the inside, so I can lift up the lid and remove the condensation tray that way.. or I can just lift up the tray if i'm only going to be in the tank for a few minutes.

 

[AndyTaylor]

I'm using the standard lights that were in the hood when i got it....36" 30W T8s, thay have a waterproof holder.
i've ordered an Interpet kit from aquaticsonline, so problem solved. I ordered a glass cover to, just to be sure. It seems to be impossible to buy IP67 lamp holders!