how to protect leds in the summer.

[Anthony.Luciano710]

i was just thinking of all the evaporation that will happen in the summer. they are in an open back canopy but theres a bunch of fans. should i just add 2 blowing the evaporation away from the leds or will it not even effect them.

 

[ming]

Are you expecting water to condense on them? Has water condensed on your previous lights before? If your answer is yes, I'd be concerned about possible mold in your house even.

 

[Jkedra]

Also, in terms of evaporation...should I be concerned about water evaporating from my sump and onto my cabinet? I want to try to possibly make an acrylic cover for it.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

no not yet. i had a lot of salt on the lights because there was splashing but i fixed that and haven't had lights for a month so i was just curious if the evaporation would hurt the lights.

Are you expecting water to condense on them? Has water condensed on your previous lights before? If your answer is yes, I'd be concerned about possible mold in your house even.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

wood just expands in heat and humidity so if anything i would think its safer. also just think of the thousands of people who have sumps don't you thing they would have concerns also if it was really a problem?

Also, in terms of evaporation...should I be concerned about water evaporating from my sump and onto my cabinet? I want to try to possibly make an acrylic cover for it.

 

[ming]

If the wires or contacts are exposed, I'd be concerned about splashing more then anything. If you have some sort of acrylic shield for the light to protect it from splashing, that would help significantly. I DIY'ed my lights and put an acrylic shield because I have fish that jump, and that small bit of water from the fish mixing with electric could short out some LED's or worse.

If the canopy was completely enclosed, I might get concerned about humidity condensing, but you said it has an open back, so unless your whole house was condensing in the summer, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[jaa1456]

If you bought a Stand from a company like AGA or Marineland and so on, There is no need to worry about the wood absorbing moisture. unless you have a particle board stand and you spill water on it or under and leave it there. The real wood stands are treated and conditioned so they will not absorb moisture. If it is a DIY stand then it could absorb moisture and warp the stand. I have seen tanks crack from home made stands, That's why I would never use a DIY stand. Most people can't give the wood the proper treatment at home to fix the problem.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok thanks. with the info you gave me i should be ok then.

If the wires or contacts are exposed, I'd be concerned about splashing more then anything. If you have some sort of acrylic shield for the light to protect it from splashing, that would help significantly. I DIY'ed my lights and put an acrylic shield because I have fish that jump, and that small bit of water from the fish mixing with electric could short out some LED's or worse.

If the canopy was completely enclosed, I might get concerned about humidity condensing, but you said it has an open back, so unless your whole house was condensing in the summer, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

+1 on that. i used to have a 10 gallon on top of particle board and i spilled water and the thing doubled in size lol but when i built my stand for the 125 i took this into consideration and used oak wood and put supports in a way that the wood cannot warp and i also sanded it so it was perfectly even.

If you bought a Stand from a company like AGA or Marineland and so on, There is no need to worry about the wood absorbing moisture. unless you have a particle board stand and you spill water on it or under and leave it there. The real wood stands are treated and conditioned so they will not absorb moisture. If it is a DIY stand then it could absorb moisture and warp the stand. I have seen tanks crack from home made stands, That's why I would never use a DIY stand. Most people can't give the wood the proper treatment at home to fix the problem.

 

[jaa1456]

+1 on that. i used to have a 10 gallon on top of particle board and i spilled water and the thing doubled in size lol but when i built my stand for the 125 i took this into consideration and used oak wood and put supports in a way that the wood cannot warp and i also sanded it so it was perfectly even.

That wood can still warp, The only way to prevent the warping is to fire treat the wood and then use that sealent. I forget what it is called but any regular wood will normally have some warping.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

i didn't fire treat it but i used like a waterproof coat on it. and it might warp a little but never enough to crack it. i put braces so it cant bend inwards or upwards without pressing against the bracket.

That wood can still warp, The only way to prevent the warping is to fire treat the wood and then use that sealent. I forget what it is called but any regular wood will normally have some warping.

 

[KathyC]

i was just thinking of all the evaporation that will happen in the summer. they are in an open back canopy but theres a bunch of fans. should i just add 2 blowing the evaporation away from the leds or will it not even effect them.

Technically, you should have no different evaporation rate in the summertime than you do in the winter if the tank is kept at the proper temperature through use of heaters in the colder months and through the use of a chiller or room A/C in the warmer weather.
If the humidity is extremely high you may experience a slightly warmer temperature, but that should not make a large enough difference that the A/C or chiller cannot deal with.

If this is that tank that is in the empty house, you will need to begin to think now of how you plan to keep it cool in the summer or it WILL overheat in the summer and kill everything in it.

 

[tosiek]

wood just expands in heat and humidity so if anything i would think its safer. also just think of the thousands of people who have sumps don't you thing they would have concerns also if it was really a problem?

People do have concerns and waterproof the inside of the cabinet because of that. Wood does expand in heat and humidity and it also warps and gets soft and that makes stands fall or crack and go boom very quickly.

Jaa, wood isn't fire treated its Kiln Dried. And the majority lumber from any reputable lumber supplier is kiln dried to dry out the moisture and sap after processing. It still needs a coat of waterproofing, primarily marine laquer is used or alot of coats of thompsons water seal but the fumes are bad for both you and the tank.

If you have condensation, humidity or water build up on your lights, stand or hood then its wrong and not properly vented. I would fix that by adding more air circulation in those areas.

By the way Anthony, if your crossbars supporting your tank warp up or down then the weight isn't being supported correctly and your tank will eventually crack. If your side braces warp or expand it will warp the top plane of support for your tank and cause it to eventually break.

You do not want anything warping in your stand is what im trying to say and if it does over 1/8" there can be major problems.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

well im moving in, in a couple of days and theres air conditioners in there. the only thing im worried about is when i go away for timeshare but ill have someone take care of the temp.

Technically, you should have no different evaporation rate in the summertime than you do in the winter if the tank is kept at the proper temperature through use of heaters in the colder months and through the use of a chiller or room A/C in the warmer weather.
If the humidity is extremely high you may experience a slightly warmer temperature, but that should not make a large enough difference that the A/C or chiller cannot deal with.

If this is that tank that is in the empty house, you will need to begin to think now of how you plan to keep it cool in the summer or it WILL overheat in the summer and kill everything in it.

 

[jaa1456]

People do have concerns and waterproof the inside of the cabinet because of that. Wood does expand in heat and humidity and it also warps and gets soft and that makes stands fall or crack and go boom very quickly.

Jaa, wood isn't fire treated its Kiln Dried. And the majority lumber from any reputable lumber supplier is kiln dried to dry out the moisture and sap after processing. It still needs a coat of waterproofing, primarily marine laquer is used or alot of coats of thompsons water seal but the fumes are bad for both you and the tank.

If you have condensation, humidity or water build up on your lights, stand or hood then its wrong and not properly vented. I would fix that by adding more air circulation in those areas.

By the way Anthony, if your crossbars supporting your tank warp up or down then the weight isn't being supported correctly and your tank will eventually crack. If your side braces warp or expand it will warp the top plane of support for your tank and cause it to eventually break.

You do not want anything warping in your stand is what im trying to say and if it does over 1/8" there can be major problems.

Yea tosiek that is the same thing a kiln is used and heated with fire, I just couldn't think of the name of it at the time. And the only lumber sold at any lumber place that is kiln dried, is anything that is gonna be used as a finished surface. Your standard 2x4's and anything like that are normally not treated. Just go to home depot or anyother place and they should be able to tell you.

 

[Jkedra]

If you bought a Stand from a company like AGA or Marineland and so on, There is no need to worry about the wood absorbing moisture. unless you have a particle board stand and you spill water on it or under and leave it there. The real wood stands are treated and conditioned so they will not absorb moisture. If it is a DIY stand then it could absorb moisture and warp the stand. I have seen tanks crack from home made stands, That's why I would never use a DIY stand. Most people can't give the wood the proper treatment at home to fix the problem.

Mine is a media cabinet that I bought from ikea, so I think I should be ok. Thanks. I'll just throw in an extra fan or something for vent.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok i got it taken care of. i just hung them from the ceiling 8 inches above the tank so i dont have to worry about the evaporation in an enclosed canopy anymore.