Interesting observation, painted the canopy white, and the t

[GDominy]

I've been watching my tank closely since I painted the canopy and its doing very, very well. The plants have responded nicely and I can see new growth everywhere. This is the first time I've really been satisfied with the tanks overall "health". Once I get a nicer looking bulb or two in there it will be where I want it.

Now the interesting thing I noticed was how much heat was now being reflected back into the tank. The 135 usually sits at around 80-82 degree's (the loaches love this). Now, the tank will sit pretty steadily at 85-86. This has helped whipe out the Ick that was lingerin around for so long but it will become a problem later this year when it gets warmer.

I'm going to add some vents to the canopy this week to release some of the trapped heat, but I dont think fans will be needed.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Interesting indeed. That alone should be a testament to how much more energy is being deflected into the tank rather than being absorbed by the canopy.

[Buck]

Thats a pretty significant jump Marcel , now you can turn the heaters down... :P

I just finished hooking up my lights today and have them test running now. I didnt realize how hot these dang power compacts get ! And those reflectors that AHSupply gives you are quite the light throwers
Now Im really glad i kept them at 8" over water line !

I hate the heat they throw. :fire:

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Yeah, that's something a lot of people don't realize. PC's do get REAL hot. That's one thing I really like about ODNO. They do get hot, but not quite as hot as PC's.

It all comes down to energy density. When you pack that much more energy into a small area, sure your light output will go up, but a lot of it will be lost to heat.

You just have to go with some cooling fans. I've been using 4" 120vac fans in my hot canopies, but next project, I'm using a 12vdc transformer and these smaller fans...

$29 - 2 12VDC Fan Kit

[GDominy]

I have 4 Nidec Beta V fans ready for the canopy if they are needed. I'm going to try passive venting first, as it really isnt too warm yet.

I'm going to wait a few weeks before I post any more pics of the big tank. You guys are going to be pretty surprised at the jump in foliage... heh

My mystery plant that is kind of feathery is growing over an inch a day, my lotus plants are throwing out new leaves like crazy, and even the anubias is sprouting new leaves.

[Buck]

Im looking forward to seeing some photos G...
you seem to really be liking the new growth...its like a whole new tank eh?

...the rewards of our efforts !

[GDominy]

Now that I have sufficient lighting I can think about CO2.. And let me tell ya.. I've been thinking awfully hard....


The wife is going to kill me

:-)

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Yeah, I've usually been posting picture updates of my tank every month or so but I'm holding off until things grow in after the rearranging I did.

Can't wait to see the big tank grown in, man!