blackpearl

hello i've started my first aquarium, it's cycling now, so i havn't been using the light, but it's just about done cycling and i'm a bit concerned about the lighting situation. i have a regular 5 gallon tank and the light is in the hood. i'm concerned becuase there is always water getting all over the inside of the hood and i'm wondering if this will be safe once i start turning the light on. is this normal or do i have the water level too high? it's about 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) from the top of the tank.

ShaynaB

I always have some condensation on the hood of my 5 gallon tanks... There's a splash guard around the light fixture though so I've never really been worried.

Is there some sort of guard around the light?

blackpearl

there's a metal thing behind it... oh actually there is a little plastic covering just at the base of the light, not the whole thing. i suppose that would be enough... it would stop the water getting into the socket, which is what would be a problem.

ShaynaB

Yeah, my cover doesn't reach the whole way but it's never been a problem!!

blackpearl

ok great! thanks!

Shawnie

do you see water movement at the top of the water? if so, its low enough...if its more at a stand still, id lower it just a bit more...goodluck!

sirdarksol

When I had a HOB filter running on my large tank, the glass hood was constantly covered with water. If the glass hadn't been between water and light, I probably would have had a short quite awhile ago.