150w MH height?

crazywesc · 07/13/2008, 05:23 PM

I have a current usa sunpod 150w MH fixture hanging above my 45 hex. I have seen alot of pictures of tanks and the height of the lights varies from 3" to 18" off of the waters surface. I have also read about some reflectors giving off better par rates at a higher height rather than low heights. So I have no idea how high I should my lights off of the water. Any suggestions? It is a 150w DE 14k bulb, the reflector is 8" wide and i'm keeping lps and sps corals.

stanlalee · 07/13/2008, 06:22 PM

on a hex you can probably keep it very low. the only reasons to raise them are for better tank coverage and practicleness (out the way when servicing the tank). perhaps heat. 8" seems to be the traditional starting point. If you get full tank coverage with that leave it there.

crazywesc · 07/13/2008, 06:56 PM

From point to point the tank is 24" wide so I can get good coverage at 3" off the water. It is about 5" high at the moment. If I raised it up two more inches would it affect the growth of any sps? I have some around 11 to 12 inches below the water surface.

crazywesc · 07/14/2008, 08:27 AM

bump

07/13/2008, 05:23 PM	#1
crazywesc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 210	150w MH height? I have a current usa sunpod 150w MH fixture hanging above my 45 hex. I have seen alot of pictures of tanks and the height of the lights varies from 3" to 18" off of the waters surface. I have also read about some reflectors giving off better par rates at a higher height rather than low heights. So I have no idea how high I should my lights off of the water. Any suggestions? It is a 150w DE 14k bulb, the reflector is 8" wide and i'm keeping lps and sps corals.

07/13/2008, 06:22 PM	#2
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	on a hex you can probably keep it very low. the only reasons to raise them are for better tank coverage and practicleness (out the way when servicing the tank). perhaps heat. 8" seems to be the traditional starting point. If you get full tank coverage with that leave it there.

07/13/2008, 06:56 PM	#3
crazywesc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 210	From point to point the tank is 24" wide so I can get good coverage at 3" off the water. It is about 5" high at the moment. If I raised it up two more inches would it affect the growth of any sps? I have some around 11 to 12 inches below the water surface.

07/14/2008, 08:27 AM	#4
crazywesc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 210	bump