Why do we not use submerged lights in our tanks?

BBA has numerous other causes, high stocking rates and too little water changes can be a more likely cause. However, I am beginning to think that the water that you have coming from the tap has other problems: http://www.reservoir.co.za/local_authorities/johannesburg/johannesburg_sep2010.pdf I am beginning to suspect those high sulphate levels are not good, but I need to do more research on this.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Hi ppl.

Just for the interest. We put LED tubes that is 12V in clear pvc tubing an end caps that we get from our local hardware store.
And just use silicone to seal it. We use it to attract bait fish at night out at sea when we go fishing.

But yes i tend to agree with prof. A light look better on top for me.

Wally.

 

I also like the light in the hood. My lfs sells the submersible lights. Dont see the point in them and they are expemsive

 

Since this thread is reopen - i was thinking of the 14w Philips Genie and 20w tonardo cfl - if you just put the glass bit into the tank - the electrical bits will be out the water and safe. This will be increased light and can be used for growth and your normal lights for display. The reason i thought about doing this is because i have a sort of overhang that will look fantastic with glosso but it is struggling to grow due to the limited light caused by the the overhang.

 

@shan, clever idea of using it but I will still be worried about the glass breaking when accidently bumping it with an object causing the harmfull substances to enter the water which means tatta fishies, personally I won't try it but think there will be someone willing to try it. Will follow the thread and see if there is a brave one out there willing to do it.

 

@wsteene - i have had tubes break above the tank - it happens if submerged or not - it happend above the tank because we busy feeding or cleaning and we bump it. If it is inside the tank, what is going to bump it and for sure one will take it out before they put their hands in. My 2c

 

To help me keep track of things.

On D-dank I added a tube directly to the water column a few weeks ago - this has done wonders for the growth of the plants - jut don't think the 2 hood mounted 11watt pll tube cut the mustard for plant growth.

Did an algae wipe down yesterday with the move.


Added benefit the tube will heat the tank in winter.

I would not recommend a CFL's tube for the same exercise ( well I have done it) lamp life seems to be drastically reduced. The electronics can not handle the humidity. Oh and yes it is 220V @ 16A.

Later Ferdie

 

Ferdie what light did you use?

 

Normal 2ft T8 tube cool daylight - you can see the ballast midway on the right.

 

Check out these submersible t5's Products - Lights

 

I got some submersible LED strings from an LFS, not very bright but they appear very safe and easy to use. They have them in all sorts of awful colours too. I tried using them as a sole light source for a 20 litre tank, but I didn't like them much. There was a bit of plant growth but they didn't thrive, and it looked quite dull in daylight. I'm sure that with more powerful LEDs this would work very well.