Athena

Hi - I'm a newbie to the forums. Looking for a bit of advice from those in-the-know.

One of my tanks has a hood with two strip-bulbs incorporated underneath but I'm a bit worried about actually turning the lighting on because when I lift the hood up I can see that the bulbs are covered in water droplets (from the airstone and pump I presume). How safe is this? I mean, electricity and water together - isn't that dangerous?

On my other, larger tank, the lighting is separate from the hood in that it sits in a matching housing, on top of a glass plate in the hood, so the actual bulbs are protected from any moisture.

I didn't notice this new tank didn't have anything between the water and the lighting when I bought it. Just wondering if it's a badly designed tank.

Many thanks - Athena

Evelyn1919

hi Athena & welcome to fishlore!
i'm not so sure about that but i'm sure that water + electricity are really bad when put together. it might be a badly designed tank. hopefully someone else will come with a better answer.

i was reading your aquarium information but i think you might be overstocked. how long have you had your tank(s) for?

can you explain a little bit more about the set up of all your tanks?

Athena

Hi Evelyn

Thanks for replying. Yes, hopefully someone who knows about the safety issue of the hood might be able to help me.

Re my tanks - I'm definitely not overstocked - understocked if anything LOL.

I have a 3 foot tank (sorry, I don't work in gallons so I'll just give you the tank sizes), full measurement in inches (Lengh, Height and Depth) is 36L x 15H x 12D - and in this tank I have two small severums (the male is about 2" at present, female smaller), two African dwarf frogs (only about 1" in size and these won't grow much larger), one rainbow shark (about 3"), one female Betta (about 2") and one red tail shark (about 2.5"). The tank looks practically empty but I don't want to add any more to this tank. I am intending on moving one of the sharks out, as well as the frogs. I want this tank to mainly be for the severums as I know they will grow quite large plus when they are spawning they become very aggressive and constantly bully the other fish.

The other tank is 24"L x 18H x 12"D - in that I have just one lonely guppy at present. Have been told to keep just him in the tank for a week before adding the shark and frogs.

My smallest tank is a 12" cube - and this houses my male Betta.

fishgirl

as you said when they are spawning they become very aggressive and constantly bully the other fish.

You may need to put the female betta in a tank by her self if she starts picking on the severums OR if the pick on her...also any other fish may eat the eggs and fry..if the fish can fit it in its mouth it will eat it. and if they cant fit it in there mouth they might take bits.

COBettaCouple

Some tank kits don't include a moisture-guard for the light fixture. You might be able to order one online or buy one at a local shop that fits your tank.

Coryd55

From what I understnad your light is over open water. That is not safe. You need to purchase a hood or glass top to separate the water and light.

Fish Addict

I actually do think that you are overstocked. You have 24.31 gallons US Gallons, and it is supposed to be 1 inch of fish per gallon, plus extra for big cichlids such as Severums. That is why I gave away my pair...
Right now you have bout 40 inches of fish, and your rainbow sharks and Severums need at least 55 gallons soo...