Lighting question

[chris tissot]

I have a 38 gallon tank with 2 clowns, lobster, mandarin goby and a lot of mushroom corals. I have a hood system with two power compacts and a 10k 250w metal hilide bulb. My question is, approximately how high should my hood system be hung over the top of the tank. I have a plastic plexiglass piece over the tank, and right now the hood system is haning approx. 5 inchs from the top of the plexiglass on the tank, should there be more space between the hood system and the top of tank?
thanks,
Chris

 

[worldwide zoo]

It should be fine where it is. I'd move it up to around 8-10" from the top of the tank. You'll get a little more evap cooling and the light will be more evenly distributed throughout the aquarium. The plexi glass hood will need to be kept clean so light doesn't get stolen by it.