Height for DIY led hood

brad · 11/02/2012, 01:51 PM

If a LEDs are too low, they will get salt spray and short out or the LEDs and optics will get blocked by salt creep. Too high is safe as long as light doesn't escape the sides, but less height looks better. I am not against a conformal coating of some sort, a sheet of acrylic to cover the wires (but not the LEDs!) or cleaning the optics once a year.

I do realize many people hang their fixtures and don't use a hood. I've lost too many jumping fish and have too much evaporation to go that route.

reefgeezer · 11/02/2012, 01:55 PM

Add a clear acrylic splash guard to the LEDs and make a clear screen top for the tank. Check out the screen material at Bulk Reef Supply and buy aluminum screen frame stock @ Home Depot or Lowes.

brad · 11/02/2012, 02:01 PM

I won't consider any solution that puts anything between the LEDs and water other than optics.

11/02/2012, 01:51 PM	#1
brad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hudson, OH Posts: 1,347	Height for DIY led hood If a LEDs are too low, they will get salt spray and short out or the LEDs and optics will get blocked by salt creep. Too high is safe as long as light doesn't escape the sides, but less height looks better. I am not against a conformal coating of some sort, a sheet of acrylic to cover the wires (but not the LEDs!) or cleaning the optics once a year. I do realize many people hang their fixtures and don't use a hood. I've lost too many jumping fish and have too much evaporation to go that route.

11/02/2012, 01:55 PM	#2
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	Add a clear acrylic splash guard to the LEDs and make a clear screen top for the tank. Check out the screen material at Bulk Reef Supply and buy aluminum screen frame stock @ Home Depot or Lowes. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

11/02/2012, 02:01 PM	#3
brad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hudson, OH Posts: 1,347	I won't consider any solution that puts anything between the LEDs and water other than optics.