Canopy questions

[coderpitt]

If I'm running T5 HO bulbs, how tall should I make my canopy to keep it from heating up the plastic frame/glass. I was thinking something between 10-12 inches, as the fixture claims to be 3" tall. 2 inches would hang down and cover the top ring and that would allow for 5-7" between the bulbs and glass.

Sincerely,
Coderpitt

[kleankord]

what size tank?

[AndrewH]

Fluorescent fixtures aren't too bad on heat.

The high wattage MH lamps are the killers.

Do you have a link to your exact fixture?

[Typical Tony]

you really dont need that much room, if youre worrying about the heat... just stick a fan under there.

[AndrewH]

For reference, I had a duel lamp T5HO 54 watt (48" long) over my 33 gallon and after being on for 12 hours you could still touch the lamps with your bare hands, and the housing (where the ballast is located) was only hot enough you could only leave your hand on there for 5-10 seconds, but not "scalding hot".

[coderpitt]

This is my 110 x-tall tank (48x18x30 high). I will be running 4xT5 54watt pushed by an Icecap 660 ballast. If needed, what kind of fans do you all recommend?

[Typical Tony]

This is my 110 x-tall tank (48x18x30 high). I will be running 4xT5 54watt pushed by an Icecap 660 ballast. If needed, what kind of fans do you all recommend?

pretty much any fan would do, but if you want aquatic ones... they are a bit pricey.

[Deltad]

my 2x 54w T5HO only sit 3" above water and no problem at all. it does heat up my room though, but not scalding hot or hot enough to melt plastic

[AndrewH]

If you're using an IceCap to power them, simply remote mount it somewhere other than in the canopy ;). On top, on the back side, in the stand, etc.

Ballast = 75-90% of the total heat.

[AndrewH]

This is my 110 x-tall tank (48x18x30 high). I will be running 4xT5 54watt pushed by an Icecap 660 ballast. If needed, what kind of fans do you all recommend?

http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/showthread.php?t=67

To my knowledge they're still available (saw them near the beginning of summer this season). Should be easy to take the cage off to make it smaller if needed.

I believe the IceCap 660s have a small fan built-in as well. Simply aim the fan out of the canopy should help a lot.

[alta678]

I don't know the cost of an Icecap fan, but you might also consider a fan meant for a computer tower. Those are fairly inexpensive.

[pillguy]

The issue would be power supply for the fan if you use a computer fan. The connections are specific to the connections on a mother board. I am sure someone could rewire the connections, but it would be fun getting it sealed to avoid moisture shorting out the connection.

[alta678]

Ah. Thank you. I live with techno wizards but don't know enough to even be dangerous. :o

[coderpitt]

The issue would be power supply for the fan if you use a computer fan. The connections are specific to the connections on a mother board. I am sure someone could rewire the connections, but it would be fun getting it sealed to avoid moisture shorting out the connection.

Nothing a little solder, silicon, and shrink tape tubing couldn't solve. :hehe:

[AndrewH]

Actually, the PC fans ran at 12 volts, so converting a PC fan is typically more expensive than simply buying a 120 volt fan which can simply plug into the wall without additional modifications.

I believe I've seen the transformers (little black boxes (http://media.digikey.com/photos/Tamura%20Photos/318AS24020,318AS16030.jpg) at the end of the wall plug for say your phone charger - converts the 120 volt wall current to low voltage for the device) which has a 12 volt PC style plug at the end for powering PC parts (say a fan for example) off a wall plug. Essentially, a mini-power supply.

Might work if it's reasonably priced.

One of these (http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/AUTO/Car-Fan/6-INCH-CLIP-FAN-20222481426.jpg) would work as well ;).

[coderpitt]

I don't know the cost of an Icecap fan, but you might also consider a fan meant for a computer tower. Those are fairly inexpensive.

Icecap fan with temp sensor is about 50$. I might have a transformer from another device that I can adapt over to run a couple of case fans. I might actually have a couple of those laying around too. Hrm... time to dig.

Right now when the house is 75, a thermostat on the top of the tank is reading 97F. So time for fan fun.

[coderpitt]

Ok, a coworker gave me two 1990 vintage server fans that run off 110 volt. With stuff i had laying around the house I installed them. The top actually got up to 110 or higher and the tank was getting up to 86 F. Now the top goes up to 105F but the tank is staying at 80 F because of the air movement. I might upgrade later, but for now I think this is safe.