Light spread and human safety?

[maevepotter]

I'm wondering about our safety in our living room regarding skin damage from our led bulbs. They have quite a large spread from the tank onto the couch. Is this a concern? In addition it's rather ugly for the house because the light is so blue/purple, our house looks like a stoner den from the street. We're using a kingbo bulb.

Thanks

 

[count krunk]

you can always build a hood to cut down on light spill. doesn't even have to go down to the tank rim or glass. You would be surprised how much 5" cuts it down

 

[Aquius]

you can always build a hood to cut down on light spill. doesn't even have to go down to the tank rim or glass. You would be surprised how much 5" cuts it down

On my upcoming SCA 150 build, I intend on utilizing the advice from the BRS series and have my lights about a foot and a half to two feet from the water. If I did not have a hood of some kind, the light spill would be somewhat obnoxious... I am still trying to figure out the best proportions for the hood

FWI: I will be using three GHL LX7's and two AIT retrofit kits.

 

[dantimdad]

There is anecdotal evidence that long term blue light exposure can effect vision.

As far as health issues, none of the LEDs commonly used in the aquarium industry should pose health issues.

I am sure there are LEDs available that could cause melanoma, etc. but we are not talking about those.

If you are concerned about it either enclose the light or put a piece of tempered glass under the light to filter UV. However, your corals would be showing signs of burning by now if their was damaging UV being output.

 

[count krunk]

I like using the smallest hood possible in conjunction with a screen top. I really really really dislike canopies that extend down to the rim of the tank. The get often gets lost in the bulkiness of the stand and hood in that case.

I build mine out of 1/2" plywood and use 1x4s as the support (if hanging from the ceiling is not an option)

You can also "float" them off the back wall but that is not always an option, and it's a bit more tricky. I'll post a pic of what I mean with the 1x4s

 

[count krunk]

Here is a quick sketch

 

[Aquius]

Here is a quick sketch

I agree about floating hoods. I am planning on having at least a four or five inch gap between my hood and the tank, with the hood being around 12 to 18 inches thick. Since my stand is 80/20, I figure I will just continue utilizing that to support the hood from behind the tank.

The lights will be at the top of the hood, so I am hoping that the "spillover" is minimized... Does anyone have practical experience with a setup like this, or should I make the hood thicker/thinner..?

(Edited to keep the grammar ***** away )

 

[count krunk]

I have a 175w MH in a hood that is 5-6" tall. It minimizes light spill a good bit. I imagine one 12-18" would pretty much eliminate it

 

[dantimdad]

I have a 175w MH in a hood that is 5-6" tall. It minimizes light spill a good bit. I imagine one 12-18" would pretty much eliminate it

Agreed.

 

[oreo54]

I'm wondering about our safety in our living room regarding skin damage from our led bulbs. They have quite a large spread from the tank onto the couch. Is this a concern? In addition it's rather ugly for the house because the light is so blue/purple, our house looks like a stoner den from the street. We're using a kingbo bulb.

Thanks

For what it's worth.........................and it's just not LED btw..
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side