Light fixtures getting damp...burning out

C

CarolynM

Last week was a bad week around here for aquarium lights.

Last weekend I came home to smell something burning. I walked around, and finally diagnosed it as my PC lights over my 30 gallon hex. There are just two 28w PC bulbs mounted in sockets in the hood. The hood is pretty tall (about 10 inches). It was smoldering where the bulb goes in the socket. I'll need to buy a new socket as it has melted. I was lucky this happened when it did and I caught it in time, things could have been much worse.

I'm going to order a new socket but thought while I was at it I should order something to put between the tank and the lights. What can I use to prevent moisture getting around the lights? What kind of splash guards are available? Being a hex this isn't the easiest shape to accomodate.

I've also read that I can run a bead of silicone or Plastidip around the bulb/socket connection? Anyone tried this?

Also what are the recommended sources for endcaps. Are waterproof ones really waterproof and worth the $20.00-$30.00 they cost?

My 42 cube is also in darkness this week. I think the ballast went on the fixture there.

So I am lightless in Gainesville...help!
 
Carolyn if the problem was that too much salt crud was getting in the light socket. I would seat the lights tightly in the socket, take some good electrical tape and wrap it tightly around each bulb at the base, sealing it at the edge of the bulb and socket. For added measure you could then get liquid electrical tape and seal anything that did not look watertight. Make sure you let this stuff dry before putting over the tank.
 
That's kind of what I was thinking of doing. Truthfully I don't see any salt creep on the sockets, but they do get moist. The back of the hood is totally open so it's not as if the water gets trapped there.

I'll wrap electric tape over the next one as well as seal it with the liquid tape stuff or should I buy the "waterproof" socket?
 
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