Eric Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'm looking for an LED setup to put over my current 35g hex, but could later move to the 90g I'm building. I tried a Kessil 150A over it, but the sound drove us nuts and I felt too much reflection back up on the ceiling. I was thinking about returning for a BML I saw which I believe was a 24". That's too long for over the hex (18" would be right). Could I block the end leds with tape or something? I figure the lens side probably doesn't produce any heat. Or would that just look ridiculous? Better suggestion? I guess I could buy something that fits properly. I have two old florescent fixtures just sitting on top now, 1 18" bulb and 1 12". Nothing in the tank that requires high light. They were in a 14g biocube with their stdard lights previously. I would like a step up in the amount of light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Should be fine to cover up the ends until you move, just be mindful of the heat, because they do get a little hot. Depending on what you use to cover it up, may have no issues at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 i used set my nano on top of a plastic cover that came with my little tank. it melted some of the plastic. i also have some beautiful pin-hole perforations in my plastic shelf organizers from the lights from when i would move it off the cover to access to the water. what i'd worry about with the tape is the gummy residue left by melting glue when you were ready to pull the tape off and use the remaining 3 inches. if i were smarter i may worry about fires and heat build up on the LEDs themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted December 2, 2013 Author Share Posted December 2, 2013 Can't claim to be any smarter, but I am a firefighter so I might be a little more cautious than the average bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshel1217 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 you might look into using aluminum to cover the leds on the end. This way the heat from the covered leds would be displaced quickly across the piece. also if you find some way to rap up the ends to the main heat sink it would displace the heat along the covers and the main heatsink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 you might look into using aluminum to cover the leds on the end. This way the heat from the covered leds would be displaced quickly across the piece. also if you find some way to rap up the ends to the main heat sink it would displace the heat along the covers and the main heatsink that seems like a good idea. you may even want to ask the BML guy and see what he thinks may be best. going around the cooling fins on top may reduce air flow, but just wrapping the foil up to the sides and tapping, zip tying, rubber banding...etc may work. as opposed to over the top. i'm sure this is a mountain/molehill issue as people probably block off some of the fins mounting the things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshel1217 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 you might look into using aluminum to cover the leds on the end. This way the heat from the covered leds would be displaced quickly across the piece. also if you find some way to rap up the ends to the main heat sink it would displace the heat along the covers and the main heatsink that seems like a good idea. you may even want to ask the BML guy and see what he thinks may be best. going around the cooling fins on top may reduce air flow, but just wrapping the foil up to the sides and tapping, zip tying, rubber banding...etc may work. as opposed to over the top. i'm sure this is a mountain/molehill issue as people probably block off some of the fins mounting the things. true that. what ever you do monitor it (heat levels) and change as needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 I got the 24" reef BML and it turns out it only extends beyond the corners by a couple of inches and the spillover isn't too unappealing. I may do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Well, this may be late but BML makes their standard configurations in 6" increments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.