The ARC POD is an all-in-one compact lamp and waterproof lamp acrylic sleeve, designed to be totally waterproof to the IP67 standard.    Easy to use and attractive to look at, the ARC POD provides the small Freshwater Aquarium, Tropical or Coldwater, with the ideal lamp.

Available in 9W and 11W versions, each lamp comes complete with the relevant size Arcadia Original Tropical Lamp, a new addition to the ever popular Original Tropical family of lamps.

The ARC POD is also extremely flexible; it can be fitted in one of two ways, either to the underside of an aquarium hood or alternatively, clamped to the rim of the aquarium glass (for glass widths between 4-12mm).  In addition, it can be tilted to allow easy access to the tank for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

The in-built reflector ensures that maximum light is reflected back into the aquarium and as it is designed to sit very close to the water so there is no lateral light spill – Instead all of the light goes into the tank for the benefit of its inhabitants and onlookers alike.

Replacing lamps could not be easier, once the life span of the lamp is over; the acrylic sleeve is simply removed by squeezing. The lamp can then be replaced with a new one and the sleeve refit to create a watertight seal once more.

The use of compact lamps for lighting aquariums is becoming more popular.   In addition, they are a more efficient lamp than a linear lamp and are at least a third cheaper to run.

A compact lamp differs from a traditional linear tube in its shape.  The lamp is actually folded back on itself at the centre, resulting in effect in two parallel tubes with all electrical connections at one end.

When looking at such systems currently available Arcadia have identified two common problems:

1) Watertight protection

It is not possible to seal a compact lamp using a simple rubber “O” ring in the same way as a linear tube can be.  Such a system would not seal the void between the two tubes, and would allow water to enter.   It would be possible
to “resolve this with the use of resin, but this would cause problems when the
lamp needs to be changed.

2) Compact lamp quality

Most small systems available use simple white lights, which are already used for other lighting applications.   Such lamps, although fine for an overhead reading lamp for example, are not ideal for use over an aquarium.

Thereafter a different approach was needed, in order to provide a safe, waterproof and attractive lighting solution for the smaller aquarium. After careful development we have launched a new product, and would like to introduce one of our latest products, the NEW ARC POD™