Powerful halides 4" from water line

t5Nitro · 03/06/2007, 07:45 PM

I will have 3 250w DE 14k metal halides above my tank. Well, the canopy the tank has is only about 10 inches high or so. It can't be smart to hook the halides almost tight to the top for heat reasons. So if I hang them down about half way it is almost right on the water line, is this ok or no?

reefrottie · 03/06/2007, 07:48 PM

I would not mount them that close to the water... can you cut the top of the canopy so that it is open just above the lights to allow the heat to escape?

reefnetworth · 03/06/2007, 07:53 PM

i would not suggest it. MH's put off alot of heat. unless you have a chiller, and some very strong fans in the hood to disperse the heat. most reefers and myself keep them at least 6" - 8" above water level for those reasons. hope this helps some, have a great night,
JDM...

...

t5Nitro · 03/06/2007, 07:57 PM

Is it just the heat that would be the issue or is the light too strong that close?

Pistonkev · 03/06/2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by t5Nitro
Is it just the heat that would be the issue or is the light too strong that close?

Yes that is a problem too to much light too close to corals what are you keeping? How deep is your tank?

t5Nitro · 03/06/2007, 08:47 PM

The tank is around 22-24" high. From sand to the top of the water line it would be around 17-18". Keeping clams, SPS, LPS, and softies.

t5Nitro · 03/06/2007, 08:53 PM

What do you suggest doing? The canopy maybe 10" and the pendant 4" so lower it 2 inches and get your 4" off the water line. I really don't have any tools and not that good with woodworking to make an extension to the canopy or a whole new one.

Nohatch · 03/06/2007, 08:53 PM

I have a 250w halide about 4" from the water with a fan blowing on the bulb. The tank is about 22" I have never had any problems. I keep lps and softies. They grow like crazy. You may be ok.

03/06/2007, 07:45 PM	#1
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	Powerful halides 4" from water line I will have 3 250w DE 14k metal halides above my tank. Well, the canopy the tank has is only about 10 inches high or so. It can't be smart to hook the halides almost tight to the top for heat reasons. So if I hang them down about half way it is almost right on the water line, is this ok or no?

03/06/2007, 07:53 PM	#3
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	i would not suggest it. MH's put off alot of heat. unless you have a chiller, and some very strong fans in the hood to disperse the heat. most reefers and myself keep them at least 6" - 8" above water level for those reasons. hope this helps some, have a great night, JDM...... __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

03/06/2007, 07:57 PM	#4
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	Is it just the heat that would be the issue or is the light too strong that close? __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/06/2007, 08:47 PM	#6
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	The tank is around 22-24" high. From sand to the top of the water line it would be around 17-18". Keeping clams, SPS, LPS, and softies. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/06/2007, 08:53 PM	#7
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	What do you suggest doing? The canopy maybe 10" and the pendant 4" so lower it 2 inches and get your 4" off the water line. I really don't have any tools and not that good with woodworking to make an extension to the canopy or a whole new one. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/06/2007, 07:48 PM	#2
reefrottie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rock Hill South Carolina Posts: 45	I would not mount them that close to the water... can you cut the top of the canopy so that it is open just above the lights to allow the heat to escape?

03/06/2007, 08:53 PM	#8
Nohatch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 88	I have a 250w halide about 4" from the water with a fan blowing on the bulb. The tank is about 22" I have never had any problems. I keep lps and softies. They grow like crazy. You may be ok. __________________ Hello, I am Nohatch and im addicted to reef.....