lighting fixture scorching hot

**marcusth** · 8th Sep 2010, 23:07

I got a question to raise...Recently i bought both PL55W and T5 24W x 2 for my 2 feet tank.

As this is my 1st time buying a light for my 2 ft tank, i would like to know is it normal for the lighting fixture to be so hot even if i just on it for like 1hr?? it is really scorching hot when u touch the rack with your hand and can feel the heat radiated from the lighting.

Previously my T5 6W x 2 for my 1 ft tank doesnt has this issue at all till now.

Any experience?? My parents are really worry bout the heat and insist i switch off when nobody at home, and in fact, she will just switch it off as and when she likes

((

**BFG** · 9th Sep 2010, 04:06

Add a fan to cool the light fixture. They do get hot though.

**tawauboy** · 9th Sep 2010, 07:56

your previous light set is 12 watts.
your current light set is 103 watts; almost 9x more. so the amount of waste heat will be more.
adding a fan, as suggested by bfg, will help.

if you worry, ensure that there is no combustible material near your light.

**barmby** · 9th Sep 2010, 11:53

Hi marcus, your problem is common. When we up our light wattage = temperature also goes up! sigh! you need a chiller soon

**marcusth** · 10th Sep 2010, 14:47

o so it is common, Thanks for all the experience advice, guess i will use a fan to cool it down, shall look into my inventory

I actually did a diy "chiller system" for temporary basics. Basically my water outlet form my filter(kindness of barmby) are coiled up in a styrofoam box b4 entering into my tank. In the styrofoam box, i just act ice with water inside twice a day, morning and night b4 slp. It working rather well actually, i can maintain 24-26 degree for about 8-9hrs per "ice session". It kind of ugly though if u mind a styrofoam box beside your tank. Hopes this can give inspiration to any kakis here

**BFG** · 10th Sep 2010, 23:43

Instead of using ice, use Pykrete. It last longer than normal ice and is easy to make. Google Pykrete for more information.

**marcusth** · 11th Sep 2010, 18:48

cool...tks for thee suggestion

basically i tried using toilet papers with ice in a bottle..shall c how long it can last

**barmby** · 12th Sep 2010, 22:35

marcus, good idea you have there.

**dannyfish** · 7th Oct 2010, 12:55

Originally Posted by marcusth

cool...tks for thee suggestion

basically i tried using toilet papers with ice in a bottle..shall c how long it can last

Hello
what a interesting idea ..
Do you have a photo to show how to make?

**marcusth** · 9th Oct 2010, 10:47

hey hmm, actually it very simple, just put bout 14% of the container space with toilet paper and the rest filled with water and put into freezer, since this concept works by 14% pulp and rest water...

Frankly speaking, i'm still using this method but it isnt really of much difference...i tried to compare the result of having the same containers, 1 with papers inside another with just water, the container with papers last slightly longer by bout half an hour b4 fully melted...

Maybe i need to improve but clueless though