Louie Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I am looking at led fixture for my 55 gallon as opposed to the CFL fixtures which I use on the glass cover . Not to save money but because I wanted a slimmer neater light cover but after reading the sites, I gather that led can not sit directly on top of glass because it affects the led bulbs? if so will stick with the current set up as do not want open top. Does anyone use led laying directly on glass cover? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I think the idea is that the more powerful LEDs have heat that needs to escape so it won't burn out the LEDs. In fact, behind the brighter LEDs are heat sinks and sometimes even fans. If the front is covered (laying on glass,) the heat may build up. I learned the hard way that I can't have an LED light above open water with no cover. It caused all LEDs to burn out in less than 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I haven't heard about this, but on all 3 of my ten gallons, I have the led light almost right on the glass top. They have handles on each end, so they are about a half an inch right above the glass, and I haven't had any problems. I leave it on the day lights 10 hours, then on the Blue night lights 6 hours, and 8 hours off at night. But I have only had them this way for about 4 months. Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I think the more expensive lights are better built. Mine was a cheapie and I think the moisture entered and burned stuff out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Thank you both. I was looking at the clip on led lights the powerful ones but they do not hang on to regular tank rims and I am not removing the plastic tank rim. The one's I looked at said that they could not be placed directly on glass . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Soothing, Some of the led units are simply garbage which might be why yours burnt out. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I'm sure that's what it was Louie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I have mine very close I just put a small block to raise it up slightly. -Chris Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 The site I was looking at was that place that you "design " your own led (lol forgot the sites name) , either way they had them all on open top tanks and did not recommend glass (I emailed them). I still might get one and just prop it up with small wooden 'legs' as Chris has done . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.