MH covers

[slick]

I am putting on my first ever MH bulbs here in about 1 hr. Do I need some sort of cover under them to prevent water contact? The bulbs will be about 8-10 inches off the water?

 

[shnookums]

no, we have ours 12" off the water. keep an eye on your water temperature. these bulbs are hot.

 

[jim672]

slick,
I have my MH/VHO fixture resting on a frame I built out of 2x4's on top of the tank. That puts the glass which protects the bulbs about 5-6 inches above the water. I get a little splash on the glass, but not much. However, I don't have any large, active fish, either. I'd guess you'd be safe at 8 to 10 inches but also wouldn't want to lose an MH bulb or electrocute any animals so if you can, I'd find a way to protect the bulbs.
By the way........thought you were going to reduce your lighting to try to get rid of some algea??? What's with going to the MH's now? Make sure you reduce your lighting time.....drastically from the 11+ hours you're now doing. Start with a couple hours a day and work up slowly to 8 or so or your water will look like lime jello!
Jim

 

[jonthefb]

are you going to have any type of cover over the bulbs? i rigged my canopy so thta i can slide a thin plexiglass sheet in between the bulbs and the water so that my bulbs wont pop if they get splashed!
good luck
jon

 

[slick]

Jim I'm going to the MH's now because I had the money and I figure I am investing in the future of my tank. Even though I'm instaling them now I don't plan on running them very much till I get the whole algae issue under control.

 

[jim672]

I like that approach, slick. I'm really pleased with my MH/VHO combo.
Good luck!!
Jim