Ouch my eyes

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 05:31 PM

i got my 65x 4 PC lights in 2 actnic and two daylights....I have them on the legs that hold them up from the tank and frankly these lights hurt my eyes...i go into my room and i get a headache...i was thinking that it may be because with them lifted a lot of the light spills into the room not directly into the tank...so can i rest the unit on the top of the tank like i had my old stock lights??? It doesnt have a splash guard but would this help??? Or is too much actnic in teh tank..maybe swith to some 50/50's on the actnics????

sinkingbeach · 03/10/2006, 05:40 PM

Dude, the first time I stepped into my friends place with dual 250w halides I too was blinded

now that I have them myself I wish I went with the 400s. Your eyes will get use to it, trust me

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 05:57 PM

thats good...can i still put them dirctly on top of the tank???

sinkingbeach · 03/10/2006, 06:23 PM

I personally would be seriously concerned with splashing which could create a bulb to shatter... Now I'm also drinking heavily in preparation of purchasing Buffett tickets in the A.M. so take my advice with a grain of salt and possibly a lime

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 06:59 PM

any other opinions please???dont some peopel not use these stands on the lights?

sealife · 03/10/2006, 07:02 PM

i would say no they will get to hot on top of your tank

BadOleRoss · 03/10/2006, 07:08 PM

I would see if there is some way to add a shield to the front of the light fixture. Re-direct the light that is shooting off into the roomback into the tank.

just_in_time · 03/10/2006, 07:37 PM

Buy a all glass hood and put the lights directly on the hood. That will prevent the splash from hitting the lights. I have an all glass canopy over my tank that fits a twin tube PC that I have.

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 07:49 PM

what about the two actnics and two daylights....should I change to two daylights and two 50/50/'s...opinions anyone?

staninct · 03/10/2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sinkingbeach
I personally would be seriously concerned with splashing which could create a bulb to shatter... Now I'm also drinking heavily in preparation of purchasing Buffett tickets in the A.M. so take my advice with a grain of salt and possibly a lime

Sounds like somebody else is going to see him at mohegan sun in June?!

ACBlinky · 03/10/2006, 07:58 PM

I'd leave the ratio of actinics to daylights the way it is. If you have a daylight bulb closest to the front of the tank, try swapping it with an actinic so it's easier on your eyes when you look at the tank.
I agree if you plan to remove the docking mounts ('legs') you should put a glass top beneath the lights. SW + unprotected bulbs = accident waiting to happen.

Sk8r · 03/10/2006, 08:51 PM

Try bending a bit of thin formica sheeting, width about the height above the water that your light is---how's that for grammar---ie, if your light bottom is 6 inches above the water, a 6 inch band of formica bent and fastened to your supports (which I take are under, not over, the light) will shield your eyes and not overheat your tank. Our tank hood is pretty well the same design. You can use any material that won't pollute your tank if there's condensation and drip. It doesn't have to go all the way around, just in front.

sinkingbeach · 03/10/2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by staninct
Sounds like somebody else is going to see him at mohegan sun in June?!

Will be at Mohegan Sun(comped, it's good to have phriends) and Camden

whalloper · 03/10/2006, 09:37 PM

I agree with just_in_time... get a versa top (glass top) and place directly on the top of your tank. The 4x65 PC's usually have fans - you should be fine with the heat - just monitor the temp for a week to be sure. Plus more light is getting to your tank and not your eyes!!

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 10:07 PM

one more thing do some legs for the lights not fit....the lights are 48 inches long and i have a 55 gallon but the legs when on come out about an inch too far on each side....is there universal legs i can buy?

ahill3780 · 03/10/2006, 10:45 PM

most light legs I've seen are screwed to a little metal brace that slides into the light fixture on the sides. You should be able to loosen those screws a little and slide the legs inward until they fit your tank.

I wouldn't recomment having the lights right on top of the water because it would make regular tasks a pain (water changes, feeding, new stock additions, testing, etc) for when you have to get into the tank.

Best thing to do is to find some way of covering the front of the light so that it blocks it off. Usually this is done with a hood, but if you're creative enough you can find the means to cope using something around the house.

Good Luck!

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 10:50 PM

thank all of you for your posts...off to post my next noob question

bjonesjr1 · 03/10/2006, 11:03 PM

I have a CustomSeaLife Fixture that is fan cooled and I took the legs off the ends of the light and went and bought some plexi glass and custom made some lids that fit around filtration and have knobs on both ends to open up to feed... when cleaning I just lift light off and take plexi lids off and go about with my cleaning.... keeps the salt in the tank, controls splashing from dog trying to lick fish and keeps fish in the tank I think I did a good job with what I made with a jig saw a few screws and some plexi glass....

bjonesjr1

RobbyG · 03/10/2006, 11:08 PM

Dude your eyes are getting use to them because the Rods and Cones in your Retinas are burning out.

Quote:

Originally posted by sinkingbeach
Dude, the first time I stepped into my friends place with dual 250w halides I too was blinded now that I have them myself I wish I went with the 400s. Your eyes will get use to it, trust me

davidhughes85 · 03/10/2006, 11:16 PM

well then what do u do if your rods and cones burn out....so are you saying good lights=blindness

boodwah · 03/10/2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sinkingbeach
(comped, it's good to have phriends) and Camden

Sounds like we have Phishead Phriends in our midst.

Wilson!!!!

RobbyG · 03/10/2006, 11:43 PM

Good light is OK, it's when it gets to bright you damage your eyes.
The only way to tell if it's too much is to do a PAR or LUX meter reading in your room then checking what the Maximum recommended levels are with an optomitrist.

In my opinion if you get headaches it's way to bright, also if you have friends over and they say the light is killing them but you yourself feel fine, maybe it's time to get your night vision checked.

Quote:

Originally posted by davidhughes85
well then what do u do if your rods and cones burn out....so are you saying good lights=blindness

03/10/2006, 05:31 PM	#1
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	Ouch my eyes i got my 65x 4 PC lights in 2 actnic and two daylights....I have them on the legs that hold them up from the tank and frankly these lights hurt my eyes...i go into my room and i get a headache...i was thinking that it may be because with them lifted a lot of the light spills into the room not directly into the tank...so can i rest the unit on the top of the tank like i had my old stock lights??? It doesnt have a splash guard but would this help??? Or is too much actnic in teh tank..maybe swith to some 50/50's on the actnics????

03/10/2006, 05:40 PM	#2
sinkingbeach Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 867	Dude, the first time I stepped into my friends place with dual 250w halides I too was blinded now that I have them myself I wish I went with the 400s. Your eyes will get use to it, trust me __________________ Parrotheads are not the silly ones. That dishonor belongs to those of you who stay beached on this shore without any imagination or desire for fun. Current Tank Info: 175 custom , MRC 1, 2 Tunze 6060, Ecotech vortech, Mag 9.5 return, 3 Lumenarc Mini's w/3 IceCap 250w ballast

03/10/2006, 06:23 PM	#4
sinkingbeach Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 867	I personally would be seriously concerned with splashing which could create a bulb to shatter... Now I'm also drinking heavily in preparation of purchasing Buffett tickets in the A.M. so take my advice with a grain of salt and possibly a lime __________________ Parrotheads are not the silly ones. That dishonor belongs to those of you who stay beached on this shore without any imagination or desire for fun. Current Tank Info: 175 custom , MRC 1, 2 Tunze 6060, Ecotech vortech, Mag 9.5 return, 3 Lumenarc Mini's w/3 IceCap 250w ballast

03/10/2006, 07:02 PM	#6
sealife Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: kingman az Posts: 560	i would say no they will get to hot on top of your tank __________________ jan 9 howard stern on sirius satellite radio Current Tank Info: 228 gal sps tank

03/10/2006, 07:58 PM	#11
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I'd leave the ratio of actinics to daylights the way it is. If you have a daylight bulb closest to the front of the tank, try swapping it with an actinic so it's easier on your eyes when you look at the tank. I agree if you plan to remove the docking mounts ('legs') you should put a glass top beneath the lights. SW + unprotected bulbs = accident waiting to happen. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

03/10/2006, 05:57 PM	#3
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	thats good...can i still put them dirctly on top of the tank???

03/10/2006, 06:59 PM	#5
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	any other opinions please???dont some peopel not use these stands on the lights?

03/10/2006, 07:08 PM	#7
BadOleRoss Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynchburg VA Posts: 381	I would see if there is some way to add a shield to the front of the light fixture. Re-direct the light that is shooting off into the roomback into the tank.

03/10/2006, 07:37 PM	#8
just_in_time Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 124	Buy a all glass hood and put the lights directly on the hood. That will prevent the splash from hitting the lights. I have an all glass canopy over my tank that fits a twin tube PC that I have.

03/10/2006, 07:49 PM	#9
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	what about the two actnics and two daylights....should I change to two daylights and two 50/50/'s...opinions anyone?

03/10/2006, 08:51 PM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Try bending a bit of thin formica sheeting, width about the height above the water that your light is---how's that for grammar---ie, if your light bottom is 6 inches above the water, a 6 inch band of formica bent and fastened to your supports (which I take are under, not over, the light) will shield your eyes and not overheat your tank. Our tank hood is pretty well the same design. You can use any material that won't pollute your tank if there's condensation and drip. It doesn't have to go all the way around, just in front. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/10/2006, 09:37 PM	#14
whalloper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 317	I agree with just_in_time... get a versa top (glass top) and place directly on the top of your tank. The 4x65 PC's usually have fans - you should be fine with the heat - just monitor the temp for a week to be sure. Plus more light is getting to your tank and not your eyes!! __________________ Please let me know when they invent the device which makes water changes unnecessary and foolish... I cant wait Current Tank Info: 72 gal mixed reef (SPS acros montis stylo miles, LPS, zoos, shrooms, clams, xenia, chili) 26 gal zoo/softies/LPS reef

03/10/2006, 10:07 PM	#15
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	one more thing do some legs for the lights not fit....the lights are 48 inches long and i have a 55 gallon but the legs when on come out about an inch too far on each side....is there universal legs i can buy?

03/10/2006, 10:45 PM	#16
ahill3780 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Loganville, Georgia Posts: 141	most light legs I've seen are screwed to a little metal brace that slides into the light fixture on the sides. You should be able to loosen those screws a little and slide the legs inward until they fit your tank. I wouldn't recomment having the lights right on top of the water because it would make regular tasks a pain (water changes, feeding, new stock additions, testing, etc) for when you have to get into the tank. Best thing to do is to find some way of covering the front of the light so that it blocks it off. Usually this is done with a hood, but if you're creative enough you can find the means to cope using something around the house. Good Luck! __________________ Powered by Microsoft Reef Current Tank Info: 10g nano reef, 30 lbs aragalive sand 2" bed, 40 lbs LR, AC70 mini-fuge, 60W Tetra Heater, 25W 50/50 Coralife PC. 1 Ocellaris, 1 Cleaner Shrimp, 4 Turbo Snails, 2 Xenia (currently splitting), GSP, Hawaiian Feather Duster, 2 unidentified Zoanthids

03/10/2006, 10:50 PM	#17
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	thank all of you for your posts...off to post my next noob question

03/10/2006, 11:03 PM	#18
bjonesjr1 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 1,258	I have a CustomSeaLife Fixture that is fan cooled and I took the legs off the ends of the light and went and bought some plexi glass and custom made some lids that fit around filtration and have knobs on both ends to open up to feed... when cleaning I just lift light off and take plexi lids off and go about with my cleaning.... keeps the salt in the tank, controls splashing from dog trying to lick fish and keeps fish in the tank I think I did a good job with what I made with a jig saw a few screws and some plexi glass.... bjonesjr1 __________________ Bobby Current Tank Info: 75gal, LifeReef CLF1 Sump & SVS2-24 Skimmer

03/10/2006, 11:16 PM	#20
davidhughes85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 493	well then what do u do if your rods and cones burn out....so are you saying good lights=blindness