My MHs hang awful close to the water

Deweys Dad · 06/14/2006, 05:20 PM

How close is too close? I don't have them installed yet, but the dual 175 MHs that I just got in the mail are going to hang within two to three inches from the water surface due to my low profile canopy. I imagine this is going to cause problems with my water temp if nothing else. I was going to install a couple fans while I had the canopy off, but is this too close? Should I find a different style mount that doesn't hang so low, if there is such a thing?

I plan on using some eggcrate so I'm not really worried about splashing the bulbs, just water temp and possible corrosion of the fixtures. Am I overlooking anything?

asmujica · 06/14/2006, 05:24 PM

I think they are too low. Look at my gallery to see how I mounted my lights in my canopy.

Deweys Dad · 06/14/2006, 05:29 PM

Not a bad idea but I have a retro kit and cutting up my canopy is not an option.

asmujica · 06/14/2006, 05:32 PM

Thats a tough one, sounds like you may have to raise the canopy a lot. If water hits the bulbs they may break/explode on you.

rsxs1212 · 06/14/2006, 05:42 PM

thats a sweet idea with the cutting of the canopy, looks clean still yet the bulb part doesnt shine around the surrounding area of the room. very nice

asmujica · 06/14/2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsxs1212
thats a sweet idea with the cutting of the canopy, looks clean still yet the bulb part doesnt shine around the surrounding area of the room. very nice

Thanks, it also helps distribute heat better since the outside of the ballast is getting cold air from the outside and not trapping it inside the hood.

ROB2005 · 06/15/2006, 08:03 AM

not only will it cause temperature problems but if a good deal of water splashes on those bulbs they will instantly shatter....so take precaution

Toddrtrex · 06/15/2006, 09:07 AM

As you can see by the picture my 2*175s are really close to the
water, with the use of the clip on fan, I have no issues with heat.
There is an acrylic sheet between the lights and the water so splashing isn't an issue. But I wouldn't count on egg crate to stop
the splashing.

rsxs1212 · 06/15/2006, 09:24 AM

yeah egg crate will just bring the intensity down it wont bring down splashing much

06/14/2006, 05:20 PM	#1
Deweys Dad Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 344	My MHs hang awful close to the water How close is too close? I don't have them installed yet, but the dual 175 MHs that I just got in the mail are going to hang within two to three inches from the water surface due to my low profile canopy. I imagine this is going to cause problems with my water temp if nothing else. I was going to install a couple fans while I had the canopy off, but is this too close? Should I find a different style mount that doesn't hang so low, if there is such a thing? I plan on using some eggcrate so I'm not really worried about splashing the bulbs, just water temp and possible corrosion of the fixtures. Am I overlooking anything?

06/14/2006, 05:24 PM	#2
asmujica Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Monterrey, México Posts: 5,580	I think they are too low. Look at my gallery to see how I mounted my lights in my canopy. __________________ Where has the tank gone?

06/14/2006, 05:32 PM	#4
asmujica Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Monterrey, México Posts: 5,580	Thats a tough one, sounds like you may have to raise the canopy a lot. If water hits the bulbs they may break/explode on you. __________________ Where has the tank gone?

06/14/2006, 05:42 PM	#5
rsxs1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bradenton Posts: 1,148	thats a sweet idea with the cutting of the canopy, looks clean still yet the bulb part doesnt shine around the surrounding area of the room. very nice __________________ 60% of the time it works every time Current Tank Info: 75g RR,asm g3, eheim 1250, 2 1200's one highflow maxistream mod (may do another or med flow.) , 30g sump,fuge, 4x54 T5 lighting SLR reflectors, RO/DI top off, 20L FOWLR, 10 g prop/sps dedicated

06/15/2006, 08:03 AM	#7
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	not only will it cause temperature problems but if a good deal of water splashes on those bulbs they will instantly shatter....so take precaution __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

06/14/2006, 05:29 PM	#3
Deweys Dad Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 344	Not a bad idea but I have a retro kit and cutting up my canopy is not an option.

06/15/2006, 09:07 AM	#8
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	As you can see by the picture my 2*175s are really close to the water, with the use of the clip on fan, I have no issues with heat. There is an acrylic sheet between the lights and the water so splashing isn't an issue. But I wouldn't count on egg crate to stop the splashing. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/15/2006, 09:24 AM	#9
rsxs1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bradenton Posts: 1,148	yeah egg crate will just bring the intensity down it wont bring down splashing much __________________ 60% of the time it works every time Current Tank Info: 75g RR,asm g3, eheim 1250, 2 1200's one highflow maxistream mod (may do another or med flow.) , 30g sump,fuge, 4x54 T5 lighting SLR reflectors, RO/DI top off, 20L FOWLR, 10 g prop/sps dedicated