Wavelength - Current-USA's Monthly eNews

Issue 5

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Current-USA HQI systems require periodic maintenance to ensure the best performance and longevity of the system and its components, not to mention keeping it looking pretty. The following are suggested tips you can perform monthly (or more often if needed) to keep your HQI lighting system working like it did when it first was placed on your aquarium. As always, ensure all power cords to the system have been unplugged and the fixture has had time to cool down before performing any maintenance.

A. Clean the exterior of the lighting system - a soft cloth moistened with freshwater will remove dust and salt creep and help keep the lighting system looking brand new for years. Make sure you dry the unit thoroughly before placing back into operation.

B. Remove and clean the acrylic splash lens (Outer Orbit, SunDial) - use a soft cloth moistened with freshwater to remove the salt deposits, dust and water stains that can affect the light penetration into the aquarium. Make sure you dry the splash lens thoroughly before returning to operation.

C. Clean the splash lens track (Outer Orbit, SunDial) - with the acrylic splash lens removed, use a damp paper towel, clean old toothbrush or a Q tip and run it through the track to remove any dust and salt residue that can affect the installation and removal of the splash lens.

D. Clean the Compact Fluorescent or T5 Lamps (Outer Orbit, SunDial) - Remove the lamps from the sockets. Use a soft cloth moistened with freshwater to remove the salt deposits, dust and water stains on the glass surface of the lamps that can affect the light penetration into the aquarium and its overall look. Use a dry towel to remove any residue, or salt from the pins at the base of the lamp.

E. Clean the Lamp Sockets - Use a dry towel and/or QTip to remove any residue or salt from the T5 or Compact Fluorescent sockets. Use compressed air if available to blow out any residue.

F. Clean the Reflector - Wipe the reflector and with a soft clean cloth to remove salt deposits, dust and water stains that can affect the mirror capabilities and light transmittance into the aquarium. Do not use any detergents or glass cleaners on the reflector. Re-install the lamps and acrylic splash lens before proceeding with maintenance.

G. Blow or vacuum out the fan and intake grills of the fixture-salt, dust and other debris can begin to clog both the fan port and the intake ports of the fixture, reducing airflow through the fixture that affects the lifespan of the components. Manually remove dust and debris using a clean dry cloth or brush. A vacuum with a hose and brush attachment is a handy tool for removing difficult-to-reach dust and debris. Compressed air used for cleaning computer keyboards is also handy for cleaning out the fan and intake grills. If the fixture is a 250w model, check the external ballast for accumulating dirt and debris on its housing. The ballast's housing acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat, so keeping it clean will ensure it runs it's coolest.

H. Remove and clean the glass splash lens covering the HQI (s): use a soft cloth moistened with freshwater to remove the salt deposits, dust and water stains that can affect the light penetration into the aquarium. Make sure you dry the splash lens thoroughly before returning to operation. Make sure the rubber seal that rests under the glass lens is clean before replacing the glass lens in place following step J.

I. Clean the HQI Lamp(s) - Remove each lamp from its socket. Use a soft cloth moistened with freshwater to remove the salt deposits, dust and water stains on the glass surface of the lamps that can affect the light penetration into the aquarium and its overall look. Use a dry towel to remove any residue or salt from the connections at the ends of the lamp.

J. Clean the Lamp Sockets - Use a dry towel and/or Q-Tip to remove any residue or salt from the HQI lamp sockets. Use compressed air if available to blow out any residue. Re-install the lamps using a clean towel to avoid leaving fingerprints on the lamp and acrylic splash lens before proceeding with maintenance.

K. Clean the HQI Reflector - Wipe the reflector with a soft clean cloth to remove salt deposits, dust and water stains that can affect the mirror capabilities and light transmittance into the aquarium. Do not use any detergents or glass cleaners on the reflector. Re-install the lamp and glass lens with rubber seal.

L. Clean the surface of the Lunar Lamps - Wipe the Lunar Lights with a soft clean cloth to remove salt deposits, dust and water stains that can affect the light transmittance into the aquarium. Do not use any detergents or glass cleaners on the Lunar Lights.

M. Check the power cords thoroughly - The power cords that were unplugged before you began with the maintenance should be carefully inspected for any oxidation, moisture or salt deposits. Use a clean soft cloth to remove any deposits from the power cord prongs and from the cord itself. Also inspect the area surrounding the power receptacle for any deposits. When placing the fixture back into operation, make sure that all power cords have a proper drip loop (your instruction manual with have a diagram illustrating a proper drip loop). If your fixture is a 250w, ensure that the connections from the external ballast to the fixture and to the circuit are free of any deposits. Important: Remove the product immediately from service if any corrosion is found on any of the electrical components

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