Metal Halide Distance

How much length should there be between the top of my tank 55g and the beginning of my 175w MH Pendant w/14k bulbs. I have them at a foot and think that I can go lower without any problems of heating. Looking for input on how others have their MH pendants set up. Also, is there any kind of attachment products made that you can attach to your MH pendant as supplemental lighting?

 

Well, the height would depend in part on whether or not you are having any heat issues. I would go about 6-8 in.

 

Thanks, ill lower it inch by inch and watch the temp over 2 week and try to bring it down to 8.

 

Heat plays a part as GuitarMan89 mentioned, but so does what kind of corals you have. My lights are 6" from the top. Luna

 

My 2 150w 14k MH bulbs are suspended 7 inches from top of water surface. I use a small fan on side of tank blowing directly across surface if heat becomes an issue. I get good color from Joe the Coral acropora closer to top of tank, button polyps don't mind the intensity higher up. My rock is arranged to give a variety of levels to meet needs of corals I may choose to put in.

 

Allrite, so I moved the lights down from 12 in to 9 above the tank, its a whole lot brighter and the coral seem to like it. Havent had too much fluctuation in the heat, maybe a degree or so and i'm going to keep an eye on it and try going down an inch or 2 more next week.