Proper Maintenance of your Fixture

Proper Maintenance of your Fixture


Fixture

Aquatic Life fixtures are made with quality parts that will give you many years of usage. However a saltwater environment can be a harsh one. For this reason it’s very important to incorporate a regular schedule of some basic cleaning and maintenance of your Aquatic Life products. If you follow these maintenance regimens you should have no problems with your fixtures and other products. Here are some of the common issues I have seen over the years.

Salt Creep:

Salt is by its nature very corrosive. For this reason it’s very important to insure that pumps, power heads, skimmers etc. do not spray or mist your fixture. Over time the salt can build upon itself and “creep” into small cracks and crevices and wreak havoc on electrical components. The main culprit here would be a return pump splashing water at the top of the tank. Some hobbyists like the idea of splashing water back into the tank from the return pump and feel that it helps with gas exchange. However if you are running a skimmer in the tank you need not worry about this. All it does really is cause small bits of salt to land on your fixture and build up over time. At least once a week check to see if any salt is building up on your lens cover. If so then it’s a good indication that your pumps etc. need to be adjusted to prevent any further splashing.

Once the source of the spray has been determined and fixed make sure to wipe down the fixture itself to remove any and all salt. Just a simple wipe down will seriously increase the longevity of your fixture!

Dirt and Debris:

Have you ever looked at the fan on a computer tower after a few years? Then I am sure that you have seen the dirt and debris that cakes onto them after a while. The same holds true for the fans on a T5HO fixture. After a few months dust will accumulate on the fans. Inside of the fans are small bearings that need to stay balanced. Once debris begins to build up, it throws the fan off balance. This can cause the fan to whine or even grind upon start up. If left like this for long enough the bearings become permanently damaged and will need to be replaced.

The best way to avoid this is to use some air in a can (the kind used to clean computer keyboards)and blow inside of the fan vent holes. Or every 6 months or so feel free to open the fixture up and wipe down the top and bottom of the fans blades with a damp cloth. Fans are easily accessible and not hard to clean. If you have any specific questions about how to access your fixtures fan don’t hesitate to give me a call directly.

 

Remember to love your gear as much as you love the tanks inhabitants. If you have any questions call me at 888-548-3480 or send an email tocustomersupport@aquaticlife.com