Lights too low??

[felix15]

Im cureently in the process of desighning a top and was wondering if i have to have the lights 8-10 inches above water level. If i have massive amount of air circulation and a couple of fans built in would it be alright to place metal halides 4-5 inches from water level?
Thanx

 

[masala4080]

A lot of it has to do with splash as well. There is a greater possiblity that they will get splashed be a fish or the current which would be bad.

 

[f1shman]

what happens if the glass covering of a light gets splashed?

 

[jasenhicks]

It would most likely crack and cause glass shards to fall into the tank. If you want an experiment, take a glass out of the dishwasher right as it stops, put it in your sink under the faucent and fill it with cold water.... then imagine that over your tank! Id reccomend at least a glass top, on the tank.. then a glass covering on your light fixture too... and yes it will get really hot when the halides are on... they are freaking hot bulbs.

 

[f1shman]

i thought glass tops aren't recommended for reef tank lighting because they can crack with the heat.... and i think that eggcrate stuff could still let the water hit the light.

 

[dmitry]

But they make special covers for the MHs, don't they? Protection from being splashed. Of course, one wouldn't want to pour water on there, but that glass/plastic/whatever-it-is cover is there for a purpose...?

 

[dogstar]

DE bulbs need a uv glass under them but mogals dont. IMO MHs should be 12 inches above the water for less splash, less heat in the water, less chance of burning the heck out of you arm when your cleaning ect.

 

[f1shman]

ya the MH does have a little glass/acrylic/ wutever it is cover on it, im prety sure its glass, i touched it and man was it hot!

 

[felix15]

im thinking my tank top could be desighned maybe to 6 inches is that good?