how far from water for MH

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by 00nothing, Nov 29, 2004.

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  1. 00nothing

    00nothing Astrea Snail

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    how far from the water should a 250 watt MH be i am buying this fixture



    http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...&Product_Code=E2R&Category_Code=EVMHR



    and am hoping to start building my hood soon and the only thing i don't know is how high it should be the tank is a 50 gallon tank that is 36 long 16 deep and 20.5 tall



    and oh yeah the hood will be well ventilated using at least 2 80 mm comp case fans and 4 if needed as long as its not to loud
     
    00nothing, Nov 29, 2004
    00nothing, Nov 29, 2004
    #1

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  2. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    Ask them if this is a pulse start ballast. It allows you to choose from a wider variety of bulbs if it is. I have mine 12 " above the water. It depends on how hot the room is? Some people experience a huge temperature rise and have to put lots of fans in there canopy and others buy a chiller. I'm sorry to say I don't know a formula for calculating a temperature rise using mh bulbs. As far as I know it is a trial and error kind of thing. If you find out anything different let me know.
    Jim
     
    Diver_1298, Nov 29, 2004
    Diver_1298, Nov 29, 2004
    #2
  3. Bruce

    Bruce Giant Squid

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    eh...heck for 50 gals u really could just go with pc or t5s if u are worried about the heat...i have a 55 gal with pcs and my acros r fine with the light...
     
    Bruce, Nov 29, 2004
    Bruce, Nov 29, 2004
    #3
  4. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    Diver_1298, Nov 29, 2004
    Diver_1298, Nov 29, 2004
    #4
  5. hottielover14

    hottielover14 Torch Coral

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    i would like put them at about 6" or 8". that's what mine are at. At 12" you lose a lot of light that could be used by your acros.
     
    hottielover14, Dec 1, 2004
    hottielover14, Dec 1, 2004
    #5
  6. CowboyUp

    CowboyUp Fire Worm

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    They say that every 12" above the water you loose "half" the intensity of the MH lighting. If you main concern is heat, I'm not sure if I would spend the money on MH lighting. I'll see if I can find the link for you to read, somebody else on 3reef sent it to me.

    CowboyUp [smiley=cowboy.gif]
     
    CowboyUp, Dec 3, 2004
    CowboyUp, Dec 3, 2004
    #6

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  7. CowboyUp

    CowboyUp Fire Worm

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    CowboyUp, Dec 3, 2004
    CowboyUp, Dec 3, 2004
    #7
  8. Dador

    Dador Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Cowboy!
    That sie isterrific! Thanks
     
    Dador, Feb 17, 2006
    Dador, Feb 17, 2006
    #8
  9. FallensReef

    FallensReef Astrea Snail

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    can any help me with this I have a 90 gal acrylic that has two openings on the top how far should my 2x250w MH be so that it wont melt the acrylic?
     
    FallensReef, Nov 12, 2009
    FallensReef, Nov 12, 2009
    #9