MH fixture questions

[jmcleod]

I am going to add a MH light to my 72gal (bowfront) tank. Currently it has 260 watts (Coral Life fixture 4x65) and isn't quite enough. The thinking at this point is to tear apart the current fixture and re-design to fit the MH in, or to force this strip to the back of the tank and run the MH in the front.

So - the question is this: Should I design a fixture to handle all of the lighting or just build the MH to run in the front. Or is there a better option?

Thanks for the help!

Jon

 

[slipknottin]

You should build or reconfigure your hood to put the MH bulbs in the center of the tank, with two CF bulbs in front of the MH and two in back.

 

[jmcleod]

Thanks for the help!

The hood is custom-made for the tank, so it can't be modified. However, it is 48" wide, 10-12" high and 12" deep at the ends bowing to 18" deep at the center. It sounds like putting 2 MH's is doable. Does it matter if the actinic bulbs are in the front or rear of the tank?

J

 

[slipknottin]

No, not really, though personally I prefer them in the front, as they seem brighter to the viewer, and I tend to like tanks with a bluer tint.