Incandescent hood really hot

[mandi]

I got a cheap hood that has two 25-watt incandescent lights in it for my 10 gallon tank. I'm not worried about lighting really because it's just a bare bottom grow out tank with some java moss floating in it, so no need for "good" lighting.

Anyway, I noticed the strip light part gets REALLY warm to the touch. I was afraid to leave it on while I was at work today. Is that normal?

 

[WILDER]

How hot does it get, and what is the hood made out of, is it a really flimsy plastic.

 

[mandi]

Yup just regular ol' plastic. It's like this one.

the ends of the strip light part don't get hot, and I can't really feel heat rising from the vents. It just gets hot on the plastic on top right above where the actual fixture that the 2 bulbs screw into is located.

 

[WILDER]

As long as the plastic isn't melting it should be fine, wait for other replies they might no more.

 

[fufanu360]

well incandesent lighting is used as a heat source for some tanks, so yes they do get very hot, its just like touching a regular light bulb after its been on in you bedroom for 10 hours, they get hot

 

[fishdudein]

Might want to consider using 15 watt bulbs if you are worried about heat...or even unscrewing one of the two 25's that you are using.

 

[jmccalip]

I have them on my 10 gallon I use for a backup, they do get very hot. While I had it setup, it raised the temp of the water 2F.

 

[Chunandler]

had some on mine that could rase the temp 5-6 degrees.. i went to fluorscents

 

[Mr Miagi]

Ive got a hood covering mine and i leave it up with glass lids on in the summer to cool it down cause it gets soo hot.......my cat has decided she likes the warmth in the winter too.....lol