So I'm thinking creatively as far as space saving and maximum use of light. I want to use rubbermaid tubs to grow corals..ok..but...my idea for lighting them is possibly insane, but why not at least run it past you. Would it be possible to make a water proof metal halide that I can submerge so that it lights all around itself? This way I could set up a few tubs and dunk the lights in (cleaning regularly of course)? I know there are submersible lights that aren't halides, so let's keep the discussion to this specific bulb...thanks! Maybe a bulb engineer will read this and make me one haha.
submersible metal halide idea?
- Thread starter SeymourDuncan
- Start date
- Tagged users None
redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
Too much heat!
Heat was also my concern...my 400watter gets 115 in the pendant w/ no fan. Idk if that's cooler or hotter than normal, but its definitely too warm to work under for a long time lol.
Ok, say I build a chiller out of an existing meat freezer that I have...but still use it for beef of course...would that be enough to keep the temp low?
I only ask because I have access to free bulbs from some guy with a farm that are 6500k and would save me a lot of money.
My realistic plan (b) is to just make acryllic cylinders with t5s or led all the way around with an exaust fan extended high above the water as to not get them wet.
Just water proof the crap out of the seals. And if I built it right I could put a big rubber washer around it for a squeegy...plan c just to do regular aquariums
Ok, say I build a chiller out of an existing meat freezer that I have...but still use it for beef of course...would that be enough to keep the temp low?
I only ask because I have access to free bulbs from some guy with a farm that are 6500k and would save me a lot of money.
My realistic plan (b) is to just make acryllic cylinders with t5s or led all the way around with an exaust fan extended high above the water as to not get them wet.
Just water proof the crap out of the seals. And if I built it right I could put a big rubber washer around it for a squeegy...plan c just to do regular aquariums
tinctorus
Active Member
You realize this is a ridiculous idea dont you?
I mean just suspending the light will give you 360 Deg of lighting in the tub and be more than a sufficient amount of light to grow corals, U just dont understand why you would want to put the bulb underwater or use an old meatlocker as a chiller?
It's just a silly idea and there is NO BENEFIT to it at all...Just suspend the light and call it a day
I mean just suspending the light will give you 360 Deg of lighting in the tub and be more than a sufficient amount of light to grow corals, U just dont understand why you would want to put the bulb underwater or use an old meatlocker as a chiller?
It's just a silly idea and there is NO BENEFIT to it at all...Just suspend the light and call it a day
Chameleon
Valuable Member
Anyway...any underwater filming you see in documentaries at night often use underwater metal halides. so the question isn't about being able to make a halide water proof, but more so why do it. I agree there is no benefit to having a movable fixture above multiple tanks. that is how WetThumbs does there tanks although it may be all one tank and just a long tank.
I was just trying to figure out a way to create a light environment of exact par throughout the whole water columns so that my corals will look exactly the same. There is an aquaponics farm here and they have veggies growing in cylinders with lights in the center, so i figured that could work with corals as well.
Only 3 reasons crossed my mind. 1 was because it was free. 2 because it could save space in a confined area, and 3...well, i am kind of insane and went to college to be an artist...we all strived to do the undoable and thats just how I am I guess. . Im crazy But not enough to really do anything without at least running it past the world of sanity..
Regular lighting it is!
I do see all of your points completely.
When i can afford to do so, i will instead build a single custom made doughnut tank with the lighting in the center, not underwater. I just really like the idea of it in general. I just would not put fish in it as that would be pretty bright to look at. BUt the outsides would be covered in corals so i would not be able to see in but from the top.
Only 3 reasons crossed my mind. 1 was because it was free. 2 because it could save space in a confined area, and 3...well, i am kind of insane and went to college to be an artist...we all strived to do the undoable and thats just how I am I guess. . Im crazy But not enough to really do anything without at least running it past the world of sanity..
Regular lighting it is!
I do see all of your points completely.
When i can afford to do so, i will instead build a single custom made doughnut tank with the lighting in the center, not underwater. I just really like the idea of it in general. I just would not put fish in it as that would be pretty bright to look at. BUt the outsides would be covered in corals so i would not be able to see in but from the top.
redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
I don't know the specifics, but I have an inground pool that has a light in the deep end. It is very bright....lights up the entire length of the pool It actually needs to be totally surrounded by water to stay cool. You might want to look into those bulbs....again, not sure of the type and temperature of the bulbs.
OurReef
Active Member
Try suspending your frags from fishing line, use reflective surfaces on the bottom and sides.
The amount of light lost through glass or acrylic would negate the benifits (if any) of having the bulb in the water.
The amount of light lost through glass or acrylic would negate the benifits (if any) of having the bulb in the water.
xcorallusx
unregistered
give it a try! I think this is a great idea!
Onefishtwofish: I have a light in my pool...its just a halogen I think...90% of the bulbs I found as replacements for them were 5000k or lower...
Yourreef: I did the fishing line before with green acro and it was pretty cool to see it bend upwards...then I tried it once with purple sea whip...wow...it grows excellently thataway! However I run out of room with the space the corals need to grow, and limits my sq ft of real estate...
400 watt and metal halide...which to my understanding and what I always have done...do require a glass protector for water splash and uv filtration so the corals don't get crispy..just what I read on the web..could be wrong though..however, if I used the halide with a squirrelfan exhaust in the 'doughnut tank' would that work out? Reflective sides and bottom would require I clean the entire glass and the light cover rather than just the light tube?
Yourreef: I did the fishing line before with green acro and it was pretty cool to see it bend upwards...then I tried it once with purple sea whip...wow...it grows excellently thataway! However I run out of room with the space the corals need to grow, and limits my sq ft of real estate...
400 watt and metal halide...which to my understanding and what I always have done...do require a glass protector for water splash and uv filtration so the corals don't get crispy..just what I read on the web..could be wrong though..however, if I used the halide with a squirrelfan exhaust in the 'doughnut tank' would that work out? Reflective sides and bottom would require I clean the entire glass and the light cover rather than just the light tube?
This just seems so convenient not to experiment with
Last edited:
