Anyone have heat problems with VHO? (1 Viewer)

[imsuperjp]

Anyone with VHO have heat problems? I have 4 x 95W over my 58G and my temperature hits 86 degrees about. Cant really afford a chilller, but anyone else have this problem? I used one of those cheap walmart aquarium thermonmeter, those any good?

 

[Guest]

get some fans blowing over them to cool them off. Not too difficult of a DIY job either.

 

[Guest]

If you have a sump, a clip-on fan from one of the retail store will work.
How old are the bulbs? When I first started the VHO bulbs the temp was about
3-5 degrees high, than it is now.
Turning down the AC in the house will also help.
Fans are cheaper.

Robert

 

[imsuperjp]

Bulbs are about a month old. Is there a way to wire computer fans to the wh7 ballast?

 

[Guest]

If you have some room just put in a small computer power supply...

I might even have one laying around here you can have...

Little wire jumping for an on/off switch, and then some 90mm/92mm/120mm fans depending on what you want...and bam...yer golden...

For informatoin on hot wiring the power supply...do a google search on building a test power supply...case modders use them to test lights and such that they have modified in their cases...

 

[Guest]

No, since computer fans are DC. You can get AC fans that you can wire straight to the same power cord as your ballast, so they come on when the ballast comes on. The Orion fans are popular among the AC fans.

With the DC fans, you have to wire them to an adapter. Any old cellphone charger, etc. will work. Just check the voltage and amperage of the adapter and fans to make sure they match. For example, my computer fans are 12v and 100 mA. I found an old AC adapter that was 12v and put out 300 mA, so it would be able to run 3 of the fans.

 

[Guest]

I bought a couple AC fans at EPO on Hwy 3 in Clear Lake. I think they were $12.95 each. They have all kinds of fans there that you can choose from.

 

[AggieBrandon]

I found 4 inch fans on ebay at 10 fans for 10 bucks....so after shipping I had 10 fans new in the box for less than 20 bucks. I purchased a power supply from radio shack for my fans and I think the price was around 13 bucks...add in an on off switch you are at 15. So for 35 bucks I have plenty of fans to last for many tanks and enough air movement to keep my tank with 2 250 watt metal halides and 4 110 watt VHO's at a steady temperature of 82 degrees (I use 4 fans 2 in 2 out).

Brandon

 

[imsuperjp]

Would sticking fans on the back of my canopy where it is open be any good or do they have to be on the sides of my canopy? Really do not want to drill any holes

 

[AggieBrandon]

Sticking them on the back will work fine...as long as there is air movement it will help. Make sure there is room for the hot air to escape and have your fans blowing into the canopy. BTW the temperature in the house here stays around 75-78.

Brandon

 

[imsuperjp]

I keep mine at 78. Ok, thanks, off to radio shack i go.

 

[Guest]

The rule of thumb is that you need twice as much opening for the air to get out as you have for the air coming in. So, if you run 2 4" fans along the back, make sure you have at least as much room as 4 4" fans open along the back for air to escape.

 

[AggieBrandon]

mikester your thumb is always different than my thumb...

 

[Guest]

If Radio Shack doesn't have what you want.
Try Mouser Electronics @ www.mouser.com, bought two Orion (92mm)fans for 13.50 each and power cords for 1.90 each.
I also install them on the back of the canopy and they are working out great.

When I first turned on the VHO bulbs, they seem to run hot for 2-3 weeks.
Now they are alot cooler to the touch.

 

[Guest]

mikester your thumb is always different than my thumb...

Was that a fat joke?

 

[AggieBrandon]

lol not a fat joke....just saying that you and I don't always see eye to eye on everything VHO - T5 WH7 - IceCap etc...lol

fat joke

haha

Brandon

 

[sultros]

I picked up two PC fans at Best Buy for $10 a piece. I had an old 12v ac adapter that I wired them to. It was super easy. They fit perfectly in the open space on the back of my Oceanic hood.

Something to consider..I noticed a large amount of evaporation when I ran my fans at night. I ended up setting them on the same timer as the lights.

Also, do you run a sump/refuge? What type of lighting are you using? I knocked 2 degrees off my temp by switching to this PC bulb I purchased at home depot.