How High are your MH off the Water? - Page 2

OneReef · 07/13/2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bamm Bamm
I've read alot of articles lately that say you actually get better par measurements with the lights higher off the water.. I actually wish my canopy I built was a bit taller and I'd be running them even higher..

Can you link to any of those articles? I would be interested in checking them out.

Bamm Bamm · 07/13/2009, 06:29 PM

IIRC they were in past reefkeeping online magazines..Someone posted them on our local forum a month or so ago I'll try to find them but you might wanna try a search

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 06:42 PM

This is just my opinion.

I wouldn't worry too much about the height rules. I have seen successful tanks with a height of 0" to over 12", and anything in between. Do what works best for you and your tank.

If light spilling into the room is an issue (( like my case with my 58 )) have it on the rim or as low as possible.

If heat is an issue, raise it up to a point where heat is no longer an issue.

If you can't hang the fixture and can only use the supplied legs, then use that height.

If you want better spread, raise it up.

And any other combo that one could think of.

Bamm Bamm · 07/13/2009, 06:45 PM

goodpoint

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks.

And I wasn't implying that knowing the ideal height isn't important/nice to know. Just I wouldn't get too hung up on it if you can't get the ideal height.

David - Miami · 07/13/2009, 09:15 PM

I agree with "Whatever works", but I have not seen a thread discussing this and was very interested if there was a secret to how high the lights are kept.

I am looking for an adjustable lift kit for my lights with some sort of counterweight so I can try different heights.

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 09:20 PM

I like the hanging kit that came with my 48" Current Outer Orbit, while it doesn't have a counterweight, it can be adjusted to any height within the range.

This is part of the hanging kit, just push in the spring and it can be lowered, or just lift up the lights and the cable goes in.

mpoletti · 07/13/2009, 09:24 PM

10" off the water here

coral_lagoon · 07/13/2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David - Miami
I dose two part daily and iodine once a week (very little).
No reactor.

For top off, try using kalkwasser. When I had my 50 gallon SPS tank. I had no reactor, and ran with just 4 4ft VHO lamps. This was many years ago. My SPS were thriving and the coraline algae was off the hook.

With that said, My current tank, I have an Orbit MH PC actinic combo, and its about 4.5-5 inches from the water surface..

David - Miami · 07/13/2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
I like the hanging kit that came with my 48" Current Outer Orbit, while it doesn't have a counterweight, it can be adjusted to any height within the range.

This is part of the hanging kit, just push in the spring and it can be lowered, or just lift up the lights and the cable goes in.

Do you remeber where you purchased that by any chance? I think that would be perfect.

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 09:55 PM

It is part of the hanging kit that comes with the Current lights. I am sure other places sell it, but I found it here. It does need a "key hole" in the light fixture --- at least it would make it a lot easier --- to attach to the fixture. If you want I can take a picture of that part.

David - Miami · 07/13/2009, 10:01 PM

What do you mean by "key hole"?
I guess the photo would help please.

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David - Miami
What do you mean by "key hole"?
I guess the photo would help please.

I am sure you will know what I am talking about after seeing these pictures. (( just took them, mainly because with words I am as clear as mud.

))

This is sort of a FTS --- higher up, so you get an overall idea.

This is the cable attaching to the fixture,

What the end of the cable looks like,

And the "key hole" on the fixture that the end of the cable slides into,

David - Miami · 07/13/2009, 10:10 PM

Got it. I have that exact light fixture so that is perfect. I had not seen the adjustable so I will be buying those right away.

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 10:12 PM

Great, yea you can adjust them to any height, makes it really easy when doing work on the tank, can get the lights out of your way without taking them off the tank.

David - Miami · 07/13/2009, 10:20 PM

Many thanks again Todd.
I am anxious to try the different heights and see what kind of growth I get.

Toddrtrex · 07/13/2009, 10:32 PM

Glad that I could help.

And get some test kits for your Cal, Alk and Mag, and you will be all set.

David - Miami · 07/14/2009, 12:52 PM

Anyone else? I am still trying to gather data on heights.

07/13/2009, 06:29 PM	#27
Bamm Bamm Saltwater Guru Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Brentwood, NOR CAL Posts: 9,309	IIRC they were in past reefkeeping online magazines..Someone posted them on our local forum a month or so ago I'll try to find them but you might wanna try a search __________________ 25g rimless cube in the works Current Tank Info: 60g cube

07/13/2009, 06:42 PM	#28
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	This is just my opinion. I wouldn't worry too much about the height rules. I have seen successful tanks with a height of 0" to over 12", and anything in between. Do what works best for you and your tank. If light spilling into the room is an issue (( like my case with my 58 )) have it on the rim or as low as possible. If heat is an issue, raise it up to a point where heat is no longer an issue. If you can't hang the fixture and can only use the supplied legs, then use that height. If you want better spread, raise it up. And any other combo that one could think of. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/13/2009, 06:45 PM	#29
Bamm Bamm Saltwater Guru Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Brentwood, NOR CAL Posts: 9,309	goodpoint __________________ 25g rimless cube in the works Current Tank Info: 60g cube

07/13/2009, 06:47 PM	#30
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Thanks. And I wasn't implying that knowing the ideal height isn't important/nice to know. Just I wouldn't get too hung up on it if you can't get the ideal height. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/13/2009, 09:15 PM	#31
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	I agree with "Whatever works", but I have not seen a thread discussing this and was very interested if there was a secret to how high the lights are kept. I am looking for an adjustable lift kit for my lights with some sort of counterweight so I can try different heights. __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

07/13/2009, 09:20 PM	#32
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I like the hanging kit that came with my 48" Current Outer Orbit, while it doesn't have a counterweight, it can be adjusted to any height within the range. This is part of the hanging kit, just push in the spring and it can be lowered, or just lift up the lights and the cable goes in. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/13/2009, 09:24 PM	#33
mpoletti You'll never walk alone Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 18,245	10" off the water here __________________ -Mark a.) I believe... The curse is a reality b.) Fish poop is your friend c.) Why chase numbers? #CoralsLiketoDisco #ReefSerenity

07/13/2009, 09:55 PM	#36
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	It is part of the hanging kit that comes with the Current lights. I am sure other places sell it, but I found it here. It does need a "key hole" in the light fixture --- at least it would make it a lot easier --- to attach to the fixture. If you want I can take a picture of that part. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/13/2009, 10:01 PM	#37
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	What do you mean by "key hole"? I guess the photo would help please. __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

07/13/2009, 10:10 PM	#39
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Got it. I have that exact light fixture so that is perfect. I had not seen the adjustable so I will be buying those right away. __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

07/13/2009, 10:12 PM	#40
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Great, yea you can adjust them to any height, makes it really easy when doing work on the tank, can get the lights out of your way without taking them off the tank. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/13/2009, 10:20 PM	#41
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Many thanks again Todd. I am anxious to try the different heights and see what kind of growth I get. __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

07/13/2009, 10:32 PM	#42
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Glad that I could help. And get some test kits for your Cal, Alk and Mag, and you will be all set. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/14/2009, 12:52 PM	#43
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Anyone else? I am still trying to gather data on heights. __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!