A
selection of useful tidbits of information for the aquarist.
Readers are encouraged to send their tips to
terry@advancedaquarist.com or to post them to our Hot
Tips sticky in the Reefs.org General Reefkeeping Discussion forum for possible
publication. Next month's Hot Tip theme will be "Aquascaping".
Lighting
Tips:
Keep
'em clean!
It
sounds simple enough, but it's surprising how many people
let their open lamps and reflectors get all salted up...
If I notice dried spray on the lights or surrounding area,
I'll wipe it down with a damp paper towel after they cool
down at night.
--
Author: Playfair
Proud
sponsor of this column
Quality
reflector makes a huge difference. Most are incredibly inefficient
and we end up paying a tons of money in electricity just
lighting up the top of the canopy and the room.
--
Author: dimaggio
When
buying lighting get what you really want the first time
instead of spending more the second.
--
Author: Mikef
When
I change out my lights, I write the date I install them
ON the bulb. It's easy with PC's, I just write on the plastic
base. It would work with MH as well, just take a sharpie
and write on the top threads of the base. (where the metal
meets the glass) That way, if I forget when I changed them,
I have an easy reference.
--
Author: Bingo
I
regularly clean my MH bulbs. Instead of using water, use
rubbing alcohol. It tears the salt spray right off and will
evaporate leaving no film.
-- Author: Emperator
Spectrum
and Kelvin rating is important for tank health and asthetic
purposes.
-- Author: fishfanatic2
In
a pinch, aluminum foil can be used as a reflector until
another can be acquired.
-- Author: BlennyBabe
If
you can't afford or get your hands on some decent reflectors
for MH us galvanized AC duct.
It comes in
large round sections that can be cut with tin snips or hack
saw. Take pliers and pry the connections up and bend open.
Some even come unassembled. Then using some screws apply
to hood. Easy, cheap and great for heat dissapation.
