Post by parker002 on Sept 1, 2010 14:01:52 GMT -5
I've had my 55G aquarium about a year and I'm noticing that the lighting seems dimmed somewhat. My aquarium is an Aqueon (All Glass) kit, featured here:
www.aqueonproducts.com/products/deluxe-aquarium-kit.htm
1) It has two standard 15-watt flourescent light bulbs. I'm assuming they are the same as the ones shown here: www.aqueonproducts.com/products/fluorescent-lamps-and-starters.htm
Is it reasonable to assume that the bulbs are nearing the halfway point of their useful life? I think standard flourescents put out less light over time - should I consider replacing them? If so, should I replace them with something different?
2) The light fixtures themselves are part of a 24" hood assembly, identical to the ones shown here: www.aqueonproducts.com/products/fluorescent-deluxe-full-hoods.htm#
The hood itself has a sheet of clear acrylic beneath the light fixture to protect it from water. That acrylic gathers both algae (easy to remove) and hard water stains (nearly impossible to remove).
The label on the back of the fixture says never to operate the lights over open water, probably for obvious reasons.
Can I replace the acrylic sheets with glass? Or will it exhibit the same characteristics? Is there a better way to do it, perhaps that doesn't involve having solid material between the aquarium lights and the water?
www.aqueonproducts.com/products/deluxe-aquarium-kit.htm
1) It has two standard 15-watt flourescent light bulbs. I'm assuming they are the same as the ones shown here: www.aqueonproducts.com/products/fluorescent-lamps-and-starters.htm
Is it reasonable to assume that the bulbs are nearing the halfway point of their useful life? I think standard flourescents put out less light over time - should I consider replacing them? If so, should I replace them with something different?
2) The light fixtures themselves are part of a 24" hood assembly, identical to the ones shown here: www.aqueonproducts.com/products/fluorescent-deluxe-full-hoods.htm#
The hood itself has a sheet of clear acrylic beneath the light fixture to protect it from water. That acrylic gathers both algae (easy to remove) and hard water stains (nearly impossible to remove).
The label on the back of the fixture says never to operate the lights over open water, probably for obvious reasons.
Can I replace the acrylic sheets with glass? Or will it exhibit the same characteristics? Is there a better way to do it, perhaps that doesn't involve having solid material between the aquarium lights and the water?
