Converting FL to Compact Fluorescent and heat

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi All,

1. I am thinking of converting my Acadia T8 2 tube fluorescent light holder to house 4 Coralife Compact Fluorescent light at Nature Aquarium. I wonder if it will be too hot for the housing (worried about melting)? and is it at all possible? What would be a good housing unit (and cheap of coz) to purchase if I would like house this combination (I have a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank).

2. I read through most of the forum and discover that some of you use small fans (CPU fans) to lower the temperature of the tank. I have seen some of these fans that are ready made and found in aquarium store. Any difference with the DIY version? Plus what is best position to put them (45 degress tilted or directly at the water)? My concern is the escaping of CO2 which isn't enough in my tank (3 bubbles to diffuser)

Constructive comments only please.

[vinz]

1. What is the housing made of? If it's plastic, there's a risk. However, if the reflector is metal, it should be safe enough. The metal will reflect most of the heat.

The transparent plastic covers may not be able to take the heat though. Mine warped after I converted to PL. See details in the thread "Cautions when converting to PL" (or some title like that) in AQ's Aquatic FAQ forum.

2. Not much diff between DIY and the commercial ones. Advantage of the commercial ones are the holders and clips. The con is that the fan may be noisy, whereas in DIY, you can choose a quiet model.

Position the fan to blow over a large portion of the water surface. The idea is to improve airflow over the water surface and move warm air between lights and water away.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi vinz,

Thanks for your reply. Just a little question below:

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Position the fan to blow over a large portion of the water surface. The idea is to improve airflow over the water surface and move warm air between lights and water away.
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You mean between 2 lighting tubes smack right in the centre of the tank? Would it cause too much of water movement that could lead to loss of co2?? Btw, how many bubbles per second would be ideal? My water is with KH=5 and PH=7.0 and can't seem to dissolve more than 3 bubbles per second worth of co2 using the internal reactor

[vinz]

Not quite sure what you're asking.

Position the fan to move the air that is above the water and below the lights... with the fan tilted more towards the water surface.

If you have very strong fans and point them directly at the water, the surface turbulence could cause higher CO2 lost. Slight surface turbulence causes negligible/acceptable lost.

BPS (bubbles per second) is not a good way of determining CO2 levels or injection rate. There is no standard in the manufacturing of CO2 counters - i.e. bubble sizes may vary. Consumption and lost rates of the tank also differ. The more accurate way is KH and pH values.

Which reactor are you using? Most internal reactors should be effective enough for a 4x2x2.

Are you sure of your pH values? The chemical test kits are a little hard to read accurately. Get a pH test pen if your budget allows. Alternatively, observe your plants... if they are growing well and algae seems under control, then your CO2 levels could well be sufficient.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi,

How often do you change your Compact Fluoresecent? after a year? Which brand of light tube would be a good buy? Osram?

[vinz]

Frequency of change depends on the bulb. AEC has been dissppointing recently, so I swtiched to Osram. Change half the tubes every 6 months. Or a third every 4... depending on your tube layout.

[Sleepy_lancs]

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On 11/9/2003 4:33:04 PM

Frequency of change depends on the bulb. AEC has been dissppointing recently, so I swtiched to Osram. Change half the tubes every 6 months. Or a third every 4... depending on your tube layout.
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Do you mean that 1 PL tube last only 6 mths???? or do you mean I should rotate the changing only but the tube could last longer? Mine is a planted tank.

[vinz]

You should change the bulbs once a year. However, if you change them all in one shot, your tank goes from not-so-bright to very bright in one day... which could throw of the balance in your tank. So rotate the changing of the tubes over a year, to minimise the difference in light.

I used to use actual water volume, but now I'm using tank capacity.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi vinz,

Thanks for the information. Very much appreciated. I guess I will have to consider 55 watts x 4 and 38 watts x 4 for my 4ft x 2ft x 2ft.