In my long list of stupid things I've done...

Inga

In my long list of stupid things I have done, I can add this. Today while I was moving things around in my tank to find my mystery snail that I bought, i had to move my hoods back a little to reach my arms in. Once I did that I couldn't see well so I went and got a clamp light and stuck it on the edge of the tank shining down. It worked great, I could see right down to the bottom of the tank. Then, I could smell something and guess what? I melted part of my aquarium hood.

Sometimes I scare myself. I swear that Murphy's law was written for me. Well, then again, I didn't drop the light into the tank and fry my fish so maybe I actually have a guardian angel. That poor angel must cringe on occasion with me.

So, next question... anyone know where I can buy an aquarium hood without the light?

amazon21

most pet stores sell accessories alone, so you should be able to find an aquarium hood without the light.

zof

Get a glass hood(they sell them everywhere), that way to can look into the top too, plus they are better for your Gourami as it should do better at keeping the air right above the water warm and moist, just make sure to get one with a back you can cut out if you have an HOB filter.

Inga

Ugh! I just spent another small fortune on fish equipment yesterday since I had my heater emergency. This was such a stupid thing to do. Not surprising though, lol If I didn't have fish that could jump, I would not have a cover on it at all.

aunt kymmie

Inga, I can top that. I purchased light fixtures that were just a tad larger than the openings on the top of my acrylic display tank. I plugged them in, turned them on and proceeded to knock one off right into the water. Fried the fixture but didn't hurt the fish, luckily. That was a $200.00 lesson in stupidity. I'm glad no fish were injured in yet another new learning experience for you. It seems we both went to the same school, lol.

dfbiggs

Aunt kymmie I am just waiting for the day that happens to me..I keep coming close. I am also waiting for the day I knock down my open glass aquarium lid and have the shattered glass fall into my tank..has anyone doen that yet?

1077

Don't feel bad,, I had similar expierience with clamp on light. I was using it during a cleaning of my tank and the Jack Dempsey in the tank startled me. I jerked my hand back,and water splashed up onto the bulb which promptly shattered into pieces over the tank.
I then got to drain the tank in order to try and fish all the pieces of glass out. Ended up removing the substrate completely to ensure I had not missed any glass pieces.
This was just a few months ago.

dfbiggs

what timing we have... did you see my message above..lol

1077

Did not see it till after I posted.
My whole reason for using the clamp on light was to help prevent the four foot fixture from falling into the tank, and so I could remove the large rocks and driftwood.
When the bulb blew up,, I nearly soiled my britches.
Have lost the glass tops in my tank more than a few times but fortunately.. they have not broke.
I have since placed a standing floor lamp near the tank being cleaned , and this proved much safer while allowing me to remove the light fixture and glass tops from my tanks for cleaning glass and removing decor.

Romad

I've always used the standing floor lamp bc that's what i had on hand. and now after reading these posts - i'm sure glad i did.

1077 - that must have been painful!! i can't even imagine how long that took.