how far off the water should MH's be?
- Thread starter option720
- Start date
ironreef
Member
IMO if you can make the hood so you can raise and lower it with little effort that would be best. But I would keep it @6-7" at least to reduce heat in a small tank you may want more? But if you can make an open hood= lots of air flow and raise and lower it . That would be nice IMO
vpwoodwork1
New Member
For heat purposes you should make it 12 - 14 inches high. I build them and have found this a good height to keep heat down.
Originally posted by option720:
<STRONG>i am about to build a hood for my 29 gallon tank that will house one 175w MH and two 18W actinics. how far off of the water should the MH be to keep heat down, disperse the light evenly, etc...?</STRONG>
Originally posted by option720:
<STRONG>i am about to build a hood for my 29 gallon tank that will house one 175w MH and two 18W actinics. how far off of the water should the MH be to keep heat down, disperse the light evenly, etc...?</STRONG>
vpwoodwork1
New Member
You will be loosing a lot of light that way. With a full top with or without reflectors some of the light does go up.with a full top it will reflect back down to where you want it to go.
Originally posted by Old Yeller Tang:
<STRONG>No, I will have a strip of wood from one side to the other so I can attach the reflectors and lights to. A neighbor has vho's and has reflectors covering 2 of his lights but has the actinic open, ofcourse you can't see it unless your on top of the aquarium and it does leave a nice effect on the ceiling, kinda like a black light. The neighborhood kids are always in awe of it.
[ May 30, 2001: Message edited by: Old Yeller Tang ]</STRONG>
Originally posted by Old Yeller Tang:
<STRONG>No, I will have a strip of wood from one side to the other so I can attach the reflectors and lights to. A neighbor has vho's and has reflectors covering 2 of his lights but has the actinic open, ofcourse you can't see it unless your on top of the aquarium and it does leave a nice effect on the ceiling, kinda like a black light. The neighborhood kids are always in awe of it.
[ May 30, 2001: Message edited by: Old Yeller Tang ]</STRONG>
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glenn
Guest
With the lighting closer to the water you will more than likely need to get a chiller for the tank. MH's do put off alot of heat. But if you keep them at 12" and use reflectors above the lights like even manufactures suggest then this will end the problem of lost lighting.