Overheating t5's

[Phyber]

Recently I've had a problem with my t5's causing my tank to get REALLY hot.

I run a Tek 6 bulb t5 36" unit, tank mounted ~10" above the rim, no plexiglas bulb cover. My tank room has adequate ventilation, and stays ~70-75* with a dehumidifier nearby.

My tank always stays under 79* however the past few days my tank will NOT cool below 81. My Apex alerted me to the temp and started shutting down equipment/lights to help.

I left my t5's totally off all day today and the temp never got above 77.

What would cause them to get so hot, so sudden??

 

[chrispc66]

Hello, perhaps the drivers have malfunctioned resulting in them being overdriven a little. I would call a local electrician for advice.

When unusual things like this happens, it pays not to ignore, otherwise fire could occur.

Good luck with it

 

[Phyber]

I raised the lights up a bit higher and it has helped with the temps. The unit itself never got hotter than usual, it was just heating the water more/faster

 

[StReNuOuS BiOmArKeR]

how old is fixture ? or better yet how many hours you think you put on that ballast? if its been a while it might be time for a new fixture

 

[Phyber]

Fixture is around 6-8 months old. Bulbs are the same age.

I had previously had the lights as low as possible with the plexiglas on, then I removed it.

I really just didn't know if t5's get hotter as they age or etc

 

[StReNuOuS BiOmArKeR]

yeah thats brand new you should be good. as they age they just loose efficiency and work harder

 

[Phyber]

I've been trying to hold out and purchase bulbs every 12 months. With no real way to measure effectiveness, should that schedule be shortened?