DIY question

[teresaq]

I ordered new retro kits for my 150, which way are most people hanging them?
They are the reg MH bulbs, not hqi. long way or across

 

[shrimpy brains]

Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/3238763
I ordered new retro kits for my 150, which way are most people hanging them?
They are the reg MH bulbs, not hqi. long way or across
I did mine the long way, seems like you get more coverage that way, but JMHO.

 

[teresaq]

thats the way I have my old ones, just checking

 

[bmkj02]

Long way

 

[reefraff]

Try it both ways. I've heard some people prefer to point the end of the lamp (Non socket end) towards the front of the tank because the geometry of the lamp creates a dark spot below that area in a spider type reflector. The theory is pointing the lamps out directs the "dark" spot at the front glass so you get less light spill out the front of the tank.
Got to at least be worth a look.

 

[trainfever]

I dont mean to hijack this thread but how far from the canopy should those lights/reflectors be mounted? Will the reflectors get hot enough to burn the wood?

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by trainfever
http:///forum/post/3239188
I dont mean to hijack this thread but how far from the canopy should those lights/reflectors be mounted? Will the reflectors get hot enough to burn the wood?
I've always worried about this myself.
When I mount spiders, I usually use 1" stainless steel panhead screws, and put a small stainless steel nut (large enough to slip the screw through, it does not thread on the screw) between the reflector and wood surface, to act as a small spacer.

 

[reefraff]

You can also get ceramic spacers, I had some and can't for the life of me remember where I got them. I did one setup using nuts for spacers.