cusweatin
07-31-2003, 10:44 PM
ok im gonna make the plunge to some serious light my question is these metal halide setups im seeing with the vho flourecents built in, how high above the tank do these need to be mounted id like to keep my canopy any ideas
I have two 250w MH bulbs running about 4" +/- above the water. Many will tell you that is too low and that they should be 8" or more above the water, but I haven't had any problems at all. I have one fan in each end of the canopy blowng inwards and my tank stays at a steady 81 degrees.
tmace64
08-01-2003, 2:33 AM
I wanted the impossible!!! Dummy me, I began my aquarium with the decision on a tank and stand first not knowing of these MH bulbs and lighting. After filling my tank, and mixing salt, I began my research on everything for my aquarium. I found that there were NO MH fixtures designed with my tank in mind - a 44 gal pentagon. I bought one of those small pendants. But this light did what I thought it would do...... It splashed this brilliant light all over the room. So I bought some black stove pipe and cut it to make a "can" that hung from the bell of this metal halide pendant - IT WORKS PERFECT !!! --See linked photo below......
There is virtually NO OVERSPLASH of this 175 watt, 10,000k MH. Allowing full enjoyment of the brilliantly lit sparkling underwater environment. This short extension can keeps the light focused into the pentagon shape and is raised higher which causes more brilliant caustics over the tank bottom. I still get a minimum of 2 to 3 watts per gallon offering sufficient light for a small reef setting.
If you have to,,,, remember to think out of the box, you may have to make your own mod to get that perfect setup. I absolutely LOVE my aquarium and its mostly the light that does it. DONT FORGET to make sure you have a white led moonlight - absolutely, the most beautiful form of "after-dark" lighting,, indescribebly beautiful. These white led moonlights are cheap - GET THE $20 ONE...... its fantastic!! Most MH / Power Compac kits come with them included and installed.
CAUTION - I dont know your tank specs offhand,,,, this pendant i have over my tank keeps things JUST hot enough,,,, any more lighting and my tank would constantly overheat!!! DO NOT put so much lighting over your tank that your water temp is uncontrollable!!! Chilling an aquarium is an expensive addition in equipment and added maintenance
PS - GVCT - thats a sweet lookin tank!!! sweet shots too!!
Good Luck Lighting!!
Todd
Originally posted by tmace64
PS - GVCT - thats a sweet lookin tank!!! sweet shots too!!
Thank you! But, those shots are with the old PC lighting setup. I really need to take some new pics with the MH setup ;)