VHO End-Cap Meltdown...A Case For A Splashguard?...Or Just The Wrong Type Of End-Cap? -- 08/15/07 Good evening crew! <<Hiya Goldie! [flashbacks of 'Sin City' going through my mind... Uh-oh, I think I've caught Marv's attention...time to run!...]>> My VHO lights went out last weekend, and I first thought it was the harness shorting out. <<Oh?>> So I ordered a new one and took the lights down to prepare for the repair job ahead. Once I got them down, I noticed that one of the bulbs was nearly black, and the cap was melted! <<Yikes!>> My guess is water got in the cap, the cap overheated, and eventually it all shorted out. <<Actually, the short caused the overheating/melting...and one can only guess the cause here, but if these were not three-piece 'hard' plastic end-caps then the heat from the VHO bulbs themselves may have softened/melted the end-cap leading to the short>> Good thing I ordered new caps with the harness... <<But what kind?>> So my question is this: what kind of splash shield can I use? Can I just put an aluminum shield around the ends to protect the caps? <<Mmm, I think a clear Plexiglas shield along the length of the light fixture would be better than a 'partial' shield that will likely not prove effective. But the best option is to use the correct type/style of moisture-proof end-caps such as these (http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=737)>> Or should I do something bigger, like a Plexiglas or glass shield on the tank itself? <<This too is an option...though be aware 'any' type of splash shield is going to reduce the efficacy of the lighting>> I am concerned that if this happens again, it won't just be caps I am replacing -- it will be the whole kitchen or house as the result of a VHO-triggered fire!! (That would probably top the list of expensive mistakes I have made with this aquarium...) <<A valid and serious concern. You must do what makes you comfortable, but in my experience the three-piece moisture-proof caps have always proven safe/effective>> Thanks! Goldie <<Hope this helps. EricR>>

Re: VHO End-Cap Meltdown...A Case For A Splashguard?...Or Just The Wrong Type Of End-Cap? -- 08/16/07 Thanks for such a quick reply! <<Quite welcome>> These caps WERE the three-piece waterproof caps-- they were ARO brand, meant for use with the ARO ballast that they connected to. <<Hmm, too bad...these end-caps generally perform quite well. Perhaps this one was defective/faulty...or maybe even the problem was with the bulb. Or...maybe the nose of the cap wasn't tightened/had worked loose allowing moisture to enter. Admittedly, all speculation on my part>> Maybe one just worked its way loose and water got in that way. <<Oh! Yes... (should read ahead I suppose)>> Not sure. <<Nor am I>> Anyway, would Plexiglas overheat? <<I have used this for splashguards on DIY fixtures myself...should be fine. Just make sure your fixture has adequate gaps/vents to allow trapped heat to escape>> I may put a splash guard on even though the light efficiency would be reduced. <<Okay>> The life I have in my tank (or had, before the lights went out...) doesn't require extremely high light levels; it's mostly live rock, some random inverts like mystery clams and worms (most of whom either live in crevices or caves anyway) and a lone piece of coral whose name right now eludes me. <<I see>> I should get my new caps tomorrow (and then I'll see how many bulbs I need to order...). Hopefully that will take care of it! <<My fingers are crossed...!>> Thanks again! Goldie <<A pleasure to assist. EricR>> PS I wish I could look like the Goldie in Sin City -- but with more clothes on... :) <<Hmm, I may have to watch that movie again... ER>>