PC lights - how hot?

[SaltyDr]

I also posted this in the New to Hobby section but maybe someone here can help. I got 2 Custom Sea Life 2x96W PC light retrofits. I put 2 10K and 2 50/50 new bulbs and after about 30 minutes everything got VERY hot. The ballasts were almost too hot to touch and the metal reflectors actually burned me when I touched it. The top of my wood canopy also get quite hot to the touch. I don't have any fans in the canopy and don't know if that will help. Is it normal for them to get THIS HOT?

 

[mburnickas]

When I had a PC (coralife) now Tek light, the PC get hotter then my T5

 

[HowardW]

<<< Is it normal for them to get THIS HOT? >>>


Yes......PC bulbs can get quite hot, especially the big 96W ones. I would strongly recommend installing cooling fans as it will help extend the life of the bulbs and keep the tank cooler.