Metal Halide Retrofit and Heat

jign4bass · 05/18/2006, 10:29 AM

I've finally decided to upgrade from PC's to MH. I have a 100 gallon acrylic tank with a canopy. I purchased a Hamiton retrofit with 2X175 14k and 2x110 VHO's. My concern is about the heat. I have two fans in the canopy. I have a chiller and the water temperature is not my concern. My concern is not burning up my wood canopy!!

I read that the reflector should not be mounted directly to the canopy. I also read that there should be at least two inches between the canopy and the reflector. Also, I read that some type of heat blanket should be placed between the reflector and canopy, if mounting to a wood canopy. Too many different opinions and I hope you all can give me some direction.

My canopy is 60 inches long X 18 inches deep X 5 inches high. The retrofit is 48" long.

Thanks,
Rob

Ti · 05/18/2006, 10:30 AM

You can lace foil there too, to prevent any problems.

TheVillageIdiot · 05/18/2006, 11:07 AM

At 5 inches high, I think your canopy is too small for MH lighting. If you put 2 inches between the canopy and reflector, won't your bulbs be in the tank?!?

I've known people who screw their MH reflectors right into their wooden hoods w/ no problems, however, spacers aren't a bad idea. You can get alu. rust-resistant spacers at homedepot or lowes. They aren't expensive and will provide space for air flow between the canopy and reflector. I don't see why you need 2 inches, though, i'm sure 1 would suffice.

hth,

Matt

Ti · 05/18/2006, 11:45 AM

I've screwed into the wood before

05/18/2006, 10:29 AM	#1
jign4bass Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 55	Metal Halide Retrofit and Heat I've finally decided to upgrade from PC's to MH. I have a 100 gallon acrylic tank with a canopy. I purchased a Hamiton retrofit with 2X175 14k and 2x110 VHO's. My concern is about the heat. I have two fans in the canopy. I have a chiller and the water temperature is not my concern. My concern is not burning up my wood canopy!! I read that the reflector should not be mounted directly to the canopy. I also read that there should be at least two inches between the canopy and the reflector. Also, I read that some type of heat blanket should be placed between the reflector and canopy, if mounting to a wood canopy. Too many different opinions and I hope you all can give me some direction. My canopy is 60 inches long X 18 inches deep X 5 inches high. The retrofit is 48" long. Thanks, Rob __________________ Rob "So....How much is this going to cost me?" Current Tank Info: 100 gallon mixed reef. 2X175 MH, 2X110 VHO. Euro-Reef RS6-2+ Skimmer. Precision Marine CR422 Calcium Reactor, 100 lbs. live rock. 2.5" dsb. Arctica chiller.

05/18/2006, 10:30 AM	#2
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	You can lace foil there too, to prevent any problems. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

05/18/2006, 11:07 AM	#3
TheVillageIdiot Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodstock, GA Posts: 894	At 5 inches high, I think your canopy is too small for MH lighting. If you put 2 inches between the canopy and reflector, won't your bulbs be in the tank?!? I've known people who screw their MH reflectors right into their wooden hoods w/ no problems, however, spacers aren't a bad idea. You can get alu. rust-resistant spacers at homedepot or lowes. They aren't expensive and will provide space for air flow between the canopy and reflector. I don't see why you need 2 inches, though, i'm sure 1 would suffice. hth, Matt __________________ Click my little red house! Current Tank Info: 65g Anemone Tank

05/18/2006, 11:45 AM	#4
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I've screwed into the wood before __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.