T5 bulbs and the plastic rim of a tank

[cloak]

I just set up a 20 gallon long and it's ready to go except for the lights. It will be at least a month before I get my Kessil, but I have one of those Hagen Glo T5 ballasts that I used to run on another tank lying around. I was just curious if I were to lay the bulbs across the tank would the heat of the bulbs cause any problems with the plastic rim or not? I know the bulbs get hot, but how hot? I don't want to melt the rim or anything. Thanks.

 

[prsnlty]

I just set up a 20 gallon long and it's ready to go except for the lights. It will be at least a month before I get my Kessil, but I have one of those Hagen Glo T5 ballasts that I used to run on another tank lying around. I was just curious if I were to lay the bulbs across the tank would the heat of the bulbs cause any problems with the plastic rim or not? I know the bulbs get hot, but how hot? I don't want to melt the rim or anything. Thanks.

I don't think it's a good idea. Yes, they can get hot enough to melt the rim. They might even crack or break from any water splash on a hot bulb. Needs to be at least 6" off the water surface.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Id be concerned with the stray voltage. A tube has a large EMF around it and its just looking for someplace to go.

 

[cloak]

Would the stray voltage be of any concern if there's nothing in the tank though? I used the shrimp method to cycle the tank and it will be about month before I add any livestock. The whole point of running these bulbs is to get a jump start on the algae growth until my Kessil A160WE arrives.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No, just be careful. Safety concern really.

 

[cloak]

Oh I see. Thanks.

I'll be home all day so I'm going to see how hot these bulbs get. Maybe create a heat sink of sorts with a little tin foil.

 

[dragon99]

The proper operating temp of a T5 is ~95F. Don't think that would melt plastic, but still

 

[haanstang]

The proper operating temp of a T5 is ~95F. Don't think that would melt plastic, but still

That's colder that body temperature.
Your hand doesn't melt the plastic does it?

 

[dragon99]

That's colder that body temperature.
Your hand doesn't melt the plastic does it?

The but still part is referring to the potential issues noted above with laying bulbs directly on the tank. My sarcasm didn't come across well obviously.

 

[haanstang]

The but still part is referring to the potential issues noted above with laying bulbs directly on the tank. My sarcasm didn't come across well obviously.

Neither did mine. [emoji51]