Choosing an LED Fixture

Choosing an LED Fixture

Choosing the proper LED lighting for your reef tank can be a very fun and rewarding process if you take the time to do it right. If you are reading this blog I am going to assume that you fall into the category of serious hobbyists who believe that patience and research pay dividends .  Our hats are off to you. Choosing  just the right light fixture can seem like a daunting task at times. There are many choices available. Luckily we have come up with a few tools to make process easier.

First go ahead and check out our LED fixture selection guide. It’s pretty straight forward and makes it easier to understand what you may need for your tanks inhabitants.

Keep in mind these are just our suggestions.  If you find more or less light works for your set up then that’s great! Each tank is unique and you will know best how to respond to it.

You also have the ability to speak directly with our technical support team by calling us at 888-548-3480. Sometimes a little personalized attention goes a long way to making sure the choice you make is the correct one and best for you and your tanks health.

Recently Debbie of Lancaster PA made multiple calls to us as she was unsure what was best for her. Here are parts of an email she sent to us:

Hi James,

      I made my final purchase on the Aquatic Life LED light for my tank.  I purchased the 48”, 1W, 48 W Marine light.   The way it lights up the tank is cool, but we’re still getting used to it b/c it’s so different from the fluorescent light we had for so many years.  The tank really looks like a marine tank!   ….It works so well.    The lights are not that hot, so I feel OK that they are close to the plexi-glass tank top. 

      I also wanted to say  thank you so very much for your patience and support while you helped me figure out what I needed for the tank.  I want to take pictures and send to you as soon as I complete a water change and the tank looks at its best….

I am glad we were able to help her out! Speaking of email, you can always send us an email if you prefer to customersupport@aquaticlife.com

Above all else remember to have fun making your selection. Sometimes planning everything out and putting together all the proper equipment for a reef tank is more fun than actually having the tank up and running. We hope you allow us to be a part of that process as we love to help.

Aquatic Life New Distributors

Aquatic Life New Distributors

In an effort to provide more retail stores access to superior Aquatic Life products, we are pleased to announce we have begun working with Pets Pacifica who is based in Hawaii.

For years we have had stores in Hawaii asking to purchase our products but due to shipping costs being so high to Hawaii it was difficult to make it happen. We are thrilled to welcome the team at Pets Pacifica to the Aquatic Life family.

If you are a retail store in Hawaii please contact Pets Pacifica at  808-676-3646 for information on how to get Aquatic Life products from our new authorized distributor.

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