blocking light?

[prickles]

I have a light on top of my two QT tanks because it fits well that way. What's a good way to block the light out of the fish QT tank so I don't get algae growing for no reason? I was thinking black acrylic, or perhaps some sort of mesh bag...

Anyone have good ideas and where can i get it locally? I don't want hair algae in my QT!

 

[fishaholic911]

A picture of the set-up whould help.

 

[prickles]

I'll take one tomorrow. prob...

 

[Big Jay D]

I'll take one tomorrow. prob...

I don't have any LR in my QT. I use fresh SW for changes. I find that only a small amount of diatoms is all I get. A very light brown film. I don't QT corals however. Just fish. I dip corals.

 

[prickles]

Yeah, the light I am using for my coral QT is too big to fit on top of it, so it spans both tanks. I have had the fish QT for years and never had anything but the brown stuff since it had no light.

I am using a board to block some of it, but I don't really like it so far

 

[fishaholic911]

The might sound dumb but would the light fit over the coral QT if you turned it ? This would give the corals more light and keep the light out of the fish QT. If the light is two short to go the full length than just support it with wood.

 

[prickles]

The light is longer than the tank, annoyingly enough. I also seem to be in that tank often enough that I want it to be easy to remove/replace.

What would happen if I covered the right side of the light with tinfoil? Would that trap too much heat in the fixture and screw it up?

 

[fishaholic911]

I am sure you could rig up some sort of hood for it. If you want to go the foil route, just wrap half of the bulbs in foil.

 

[Tanque Verde]

Cut a piece of black acrylic and use it as a lid.

Or cut a piece of glass and paint it black and use it as a lid.

Or paint 1/2 of your lens cover in black paint.

Or only turn the light switch halfway on. Nah, scratch that.

 

[prickles]

Okay I tried ace and they didn't have it. That was my first thought. Who sells black acrylic?

 

[Tanque Verde]

Try Plastic Plus. They have stacks of scrap acrylic you could sort through. Alternatively, black marine plastic (starboard?) would work well.