Help with refugium light spillage and mount

[Zelly]

I have this light I got from Amazon and put up some chain to hold it above my refugium. I really don’t love this setup but it does work. If you have ideas how I can improve the mount for the light please let me know. But my bigger question is about light spillage.

The light is reported to get extremely hot as it is 100W and naturally aspirated. (I haven’t touched it so I don’t know how hot exactly). But I figured some sort of shade would work best but I don’t know how to build something like this that won’t melt by contact with the light.

Pictures of the current setup below, TIA

 

[afrokobe]

I am trying to figure out how to deal with this issue as well... following along. originally I was going to get some black thin pvc sheets and just blackout the refuge sides.

 

[TokenReefer]

Maybe extend the baffles up like @afrokobe suggested. Seems like it'd work. Or Baffle from above hanging down

 

[The_Paradox]

Barn doors will do what you want. Just keep an eye on your water temps with that light.

 

[Zelly]

I am trying to figure out how to deal with this issue as well... following along. originally I was going to get some black thin pvc sheets and just blackout the refuge sides.

I feel like pvc may melt but I guess I don’t know till I try!

 

[Zelly]

Barn doors will do what you want. Just keep an eye on your water temps with that light.

Where do I pick up something like that? Good point on water temps, light is only on for 4 hours a day at the moment but I’ll keep it in mind thank you

 

[The_Paradox]

Where do I pick up something like that? Good point on water temps, light is only on for 4 hours a day at the moment but I’ll keep it in mind thank you

B&H would have them but probably way cheaper someplace like Amazon.

 

[WestMI-Reefer]

The laziest solution for immediate band aid: aluminum foil wrapped around the light

The right solution for permanent fix:
Add a piece of glass/acrylic to the baffles that will raise them.

The project fix:
- weld thin aluminum sheets to make a funnel shader
- 3d print a funnel shader, lots of people on here will print for you

good luck!

 

[The_Paradox]

 

[afrokobe]

I feel like pvc may melt but I guess I don’t know till I try!

I would probably not put it against the light like a spill shade, but rather just shooting straight up from the fuge. like a crude blackout box for that one compartment.

You could also look into 3d printed light shades, I am willing to bet someone made one for that light on thingiverse. It seems like a pretty popular cheap refugium light.

 

[The_Paradox]

Any light that is melting PVC (185 degrees), is never going under my tank

 

[MoshJosh]

I used/use black corrugated plastic and basically "wrap" the fuge in it:

 

[Zelly]

Any light that is melting PVC (185 degrees), is never going under my tank

Didn’t know the melting point lol. Doubt it gets THAT hot