lighting heating water...

[nikki_allen99]

I have a smaller 5 gallon tank and the reason i stopped using it was because if I turned the light on for more than an hour it would start to heat up the water. I do not have this trouble with my lager tank. I took out the tube and the only thing on it says F8TS/D . I was wondering if maybe I can replace this with something that runs cooler?

 

[guppymonkey]

You were probably using an incandescent bulb. They have a huge tendency to heat up the water especially with a small tank like a five gallon. A flourescent bulb would be better, they give off less heat. Other than that I would say use a desk lamp over the tank but put it at least 6 inches to a foot above the tank. That way the tank will be lit but won't be heated by the bulb.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Flourescent is also better for plants if you wanted to add some. Don't buy the bulbs that are supposed to convert incandescent lights to flourescent-- they are not safe and it would be safer to replace the hood.

 

[JAYJT]

Yeah i agree with the above 2 posts or I know someone who uses a small computer fan in the hood to cool his water in his nano. My 2 small tanks use normal light bulbs and dont seem to heat the water up that much...