What Happens If My Fluorescent Light Fall Into The Tank?

[aumont]

Hey,

I am currently tying a new setup for one of my cichlid tank: I bought a Shop light at home depot that is suspended by two heavy duty chains connected to the ceiling. However, to ensure the maximum light is transmitted into the water I removed the lid of the aquarium. The problem is I have two Cats that used to love the go on top of that tank but now there is no lids and they managed to almost fall into the water.


What happens if the whole light fixture fall into the water? If just one tip of the neon fall is there any danger? I add a little bit of salt at every water change one table spoon per 5 gal so the water may be conductive. I just wonder how is configured the circuit of those fluorescent neons....
Any help would be really appreciated!

 

[Cicho]

The water already is conductive. Chances are the lights will break and the fixture will be ruined.

Whatever you do, don't reach into the tank without killing power first! Don't stick your hand into the tank with the power on.

 

[TheLeviathan]

Damn I got electrocuted many times when I was putting my hand inside and my fluorescent light fell down :/

 

[12 Volt Man]

put the lid of your tank back on

a fallen light could be a serious electrical hazard to you, your fish and your cats.

not to mention a drowned cat is not a good thing

 

[jsodwi]

Make sure you have a GFCI outlet that your tank is plugged into and make sure it works so it trips

 

[Clay]

Damn I got electrocuted many times when I was putting my hand inside and my fluorescent light fell down :/

No, you were shocked. Electrocution implies death.

 

[lipadj46]

No, you were shocked. Electrocution implies death.

No, by definition, it does not. But this is a fish forum not a semantics forum last I checked

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Hey,

I am currently tying a new setup for one of my cichlid tank: I bought a Shop light at home depot that is suspended by two heavy duty chains connected to the ceiling. However, to ensure the maximum light is transmitted into the water I removed the lid of the aquarium. The problem is I have two Cats that used to love the go on top of that tank but now there is no lids and they managed to almost fall into the water.


What happens if the whole light fixture fall into the water? If just one tip of the neon fall is there any danger? I add a little bit of salt at every water change one table spoon per 5 gal so the water may be conductive. I just wonder how is configured the circuit of those fluorescent neons....
Any help would be really appreciated!

If I were you I would put the lid back on before a cat falls in and gets water everywhere and/or drowneds or your light does fall. It doesn't sound very safe at all...its better to be on the safe side which is the lid on.

 

[aumont]

Thanks everyone, I did put the lid back... However I have less light transmitted into the water because the opening on the lid is about 4 inches,

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Thanks everyone, I did put the lid back... However I have less light transmitted into the water because the opening on the lid is about 4 inches,

You could always buy a glass top for it so more light enters, like this...http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3731+3781&pcatid=3781