Anyone have heat problems with T5HO lights and a canopy?

Ironically I guess it's normal to have the temps bounce between night and day but I think I'm starting to see why nobody does glass tops or canopy tops.

Anyone have advice on what I could do different. Details are in the video.

Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVi8wTHDgCw

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 15, 2011 at 9:12pm

http://fishtanktv.com/video/a-canopy-and-t5ho-lights-heat-issue

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 16, 2011 at 8:38pm

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Problem solved. Got a nice metal fan from Target for $6.37 AFTER tax. Will retro-fit them into the canopy to pull air away from the T5HO lights.

I used one fan today and it kept the temperature from going up .1 of a degree for about 50 minutes apart. I only run the T5HO lights about 6 hours. Still tweaking that. Got a pair of really nice T5 lights with hood at PetSmart for $90. Taking out the T8 lights when I retrofit the canopy.

The video below is in HD so be sure and check it out.:-)

http://fishtanktv.com/video/tank-update-fixed-heat-issue-blood-worm...

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 20, 2011 at 9:34pm

http://fishtanktv.com/video/removed-glass-top-new-t5ho-lights-tool-...

Posted a video of what I found out and how I solved this problem. As much as I love a glass top I'm starting to see why folks with HO or VHO lights frown on them. All they do is reflect a percentage of light and soak up heat.

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 21, 2011 at 10:18pm

Just adding my final solution. Got rid of the glass top. Added another pair of T5HO lights and also added electric fans to the back of the canopy.

I used a metal coat hanger like what you would nail into the back of a door on the back of the canopy. 4'' metal fans had a metal stand and I wrapped that over the hanger. Then also used those a top hook to run power cords along the back of the canopy out of the way so you don't see them in the back glass.

Each ballast has it's own fan and I used a marker to tag each extension chord for their own timer.

Enjoy the video.

http://fishtanktv.com/video/canopy-upgrade-6-of-6-canopy-setup-with...

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 21, 2011 at 10:19pm

Sorry if these feels like I'm trying to show off or get recognition. Just think this might help someone else and if you have any comments, improvements or suggestions to improve things please let me know.