A couple of questions!!

[Baby Ray]

1. Is a hydro nano enough for a 20 gallon long (30 inches)? I would be keeping mostly softies and maybe some lps.

2. How should I clean this light up? I am setting up a tank at my school and my LFS gave this to me to put on the 20 long. The 2 middle LEDs don't work but that shouldn't be a problem because it is so much over kill. Is there any way I can fix the 2 middle LEDs? What should I run the light at? %40?

Thank you everyone!!

 

[Chrisfish]

Bump

 

[Baby Ray]

Bump!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey Guys, turn the fixture on and hold it over the tank or floor. Does the light evenly cover the area of the tank. If so your fine. How high does the fixture have to hang to do that, if its so high its unappealing and gets in everyone's eyes, you can pull some of the lenses and move it closer to the tank or put it in or on a canopy.
As far as how intense, bright to make it, Im a lux meter guy. I forget the depth of these but id start it at 10 to 15,000 lux. at the top of the water.

Dont know about the fix, it may be parts you need. When I rehab stuff Id open it up and electrical spray contact cleaner in it and the connections.

 

[Baby Ray]

Hey Guys, turn the fixture on and hold it over the tank or floor. Does the light evenly cover the area of the tank. If so your fine. How high does the fixture have to hang to do that, if its so high its unappealing and gets in everyone's eyes, you can pull some of the lenses and move it closer to the tank or put it in or on a canopy.
As far as how intense, bright to make it, Im a lux meter guy. I forget the depth of these but id start it at 10 to 15,000 lux. at the top of the water.

Dont know about the fix, it may be parts you need. When I rehab stuff Id open it up and electrical spray contact cleaner in it and the connections.

Thank you!!! It does cover the area well. If anything, the middle of the tank is even brighter then the edges. I think I will hang it 10-12 inches over the tank. The 20 long is 12 inches high. I don't own a lux meter and I don't know how to use it so...... I'll try to find one and check my lux. How do you think I should clean up the exterior of the light. It is rusting a little in some spots and it is also a little grimy.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you!!! It does cover the area well. If anything, the middle of the tank is even brighter then the edges. I think I will hang it 10-12 inches over the tank. The 20 long is 12 inches high. I don't own a lux meter and I don't know how to use it so...... I'll try to find one and check my lux. How do you think I should clean up the exterior of the light. It is rusting a little in some spots and it is also a little grimy.

A damp cloth with very light dishsoap for the grunge. if you open it up depending on your diy skils, thats a better time to scrub the outside.

Lux meter is easy.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

 

[Baby Ray]

I am not sure if any of this helps but I thought I might as well post s picture.

 

[Baby Ray]

A damp cloth with very light dishsoap for the grunge. if you open it up depending on your diy skils, thats a better time to scrub the outside.

Lux meter is easy.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

I unscrewed the lid and I went to pull it off but a bunch of wires were holding me back. One wire unplug and I freaked but I think I plug it back into the right spot because the light is still working. I put everything back because I am a chicken. I did see that there was a ton of dust in the light which might be why the middle LEDs aren't working. Should I use air in a can and spray the dust out? What should I do about all the wired. I am too scared to unplug them.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I unscrewed the lid and I went to pull it off but a bunch of wires were holding me back. One wire unplug and I freaked but I think I plug it back into the right spot because the light is still working. I put everything back because I am a chicken. I did see that there was a ton of dust in the light which might be why the middle LEDs aren't working. Should I use air in a can and spray the dust out? What should I do about all the wired. I am too scared to unplug them.

Lol Sorry. yea a can of air will totally help. take it slow. Ask around an see if you have a pal who is a good diyer or has done something like this.

 

[Baby Ray]

Lol Sorry. yea a can of air will totally help. take it slow. Ask around an see if you have a pal who is a good diyer or has done something like this.

I don't know anyone . I guess I will just have to do it myself. Wish me luck!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't know anyone . I guess I will just have to do it myself. Wish me luck!!

go slow. its overwhelming at first. look at the led puck. there is probably a connection on it. I would wiggle it and if its easy take it of and put it back on. same with all of the connections you see. go one at a time.

Dust will build up on things and with moisture and a bit of salt it turns into like a glue. so sometimes wiggling it and disconnecting it will help the metal to metal in the connection meet better.
I use air and a paint brush and paper towels. If its really gummy, alcohol like from the drugstore with a q tip or something called electronic contact cleaner spray. the alcohol dries off very quickly.

 

[Baby Ray]

What about the hydro nano on a 20 long?

 

[Baby Ray]

This is what the inside of the light looks like. Some of the wired won't unplug and I am very confused with it

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

nasty. Dont mess with it if your not confident. just blow out the gunk and hang it.

 

[Baby Ray]

nasty. Dont mess with it if your not confident. just blow out the gunk and hang it.

This is after I cleaned it lol.
Ill clean it again in the morning. Could I use a wet paper towel to clean it?
Just out of curiosity, what is that silver thing?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Silver things are the heat sinks. They are what pull the heat out away from the leds. HEaviest/ bulkiest part of LEDs.

I would just clean best you can with can of air and towel. I would be very leary about taking it apart too. LEDs can be touchy.

Good luck with it. Show us the tank when done.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

lol
that is a heatsink. led do get hot actually and that is what cools them. when dust builds up it stops it from cooling. thats probably why the center died. too much heat.

 

[Baby Ray]

lol
that is a heatsink. led do get hot actually and that is what cools them. when dust builds up it stops it from cooling. thats probably why the center died. too much heat.

Is there any way I could fix the 2 middle LED's without taking the entire thing apart?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is there any way I could fix the 2 middle LED's without taking the entire thing apart?

no

 

[Baby Ray]

no

Dang it!! Well, it should be fine. Like I said, it is over kill anyways so it should cover the entire tank