I purchased the hamilton reefsun pendants and supporting hamilton ballast sometime in late august. The units have been installed in a canopy four inches above the water level, and have been in use for only a month and a half. While the unit is still in it's infancy, it now has major patches of rust all over it. The screws are all rusted, and the body of the bendant has major rust growing all over it. Is this a common problem with MH pendants? If not, what kind of manufacturer sells a pendant that isn't rust proof when they know it will be used for an aquarium purpose. My canopy is lid is usually open, and am almost 99% certain that no saltwater has ever touched the pendants directly. Spending lots of $$$ on quality lights only to find this corrosion is totally unacceptable.
Anyone else have this MH Problem?
- Thread starter mraafat
- Start date
Racing1
New member
I would contact hamilton to see what they say. They usually stand behing their products. The only problem I see is you had them mounted in a canopy. Most pendants are designed to be hung above the tank not in a canopy... I have attached info on how to get in touch with hamilton to see what they can do.
If you need an RA# to return an item or need any further assistance,
please call customer service at (310) 217-0036.
If you need an RA# to return an item or need any further assistance,
please call customer service at (310) 217-0036.
john rochon
New member
well, 4 inches above the water pretty close and your probaly getting some salt spray on there even from little bubbles popping.
that being said it shouldn't rust like that if there using aluminum and stainless steel screws. I've dropped my reflector righ into the tank and it never rusted. it might ''pit'' after but not rust.
I used pendants in my canopy as do many others but like I said 4'' is to close IMO.
that being said it shouldn't rust like that if there using aluminum and stainless steel screws. I've dropped my reflector righ into the tank and it never rusted. it might ''pit'' after but not rust.
I used pendants in my canopy as do many others but like I said 4'' is to close IMO.
TheFlyingTang
New member
You need to be at least eight inches above the water. Any fastener or enclosure that is not stainless steel will rust.
Even if your hood is open, when the lights go off and the parts cool you will get condensation which will speed up the process of corrosion (aluminum) or rusting (iron).
Try keeping your canopy closed after you install a fan that runs 24/7.
Go to Radio Shack and buy their 115 VAC cooling fan, catalog number 273-241C. Its quiet and will keep condensation from forming, and helps keep the enclosure cool.
Even if your hood is open, when the lights go off and the parts cool you will get condensation which will speed up the process of corrosion (aluminum) or rusting (iron).
Try keeping your canopy closed after you install a fan that runs 24/7.
Go to Radio Shack and buy their 115 VAC cooling fan, catalog number 273-241C. Its quiet and will keep condensation from forming, and helps keep the enclosure cool.
