MH in canopy Question

so as i am setting up my 210 gallon all sps reef i am looking at putting 3 400watt mh's in a wooden canopy but i am worried about it being to hot for the canopy and catching it on fire if i screw it in directly in to the canopy........so if that would happen, then can i hang it from a chain inside canopy???

 

Experiance i have had with 400watt MH they do pour out the light and the heat.. that being said eather way you mount them (am sure you know this) make sure you have vents to let the heat exscape along with fans to help push the hot air out and blow cooler air in.. I would think you do so much hafta hang them with chains but put a spacer of idk a inch or 2 just where the mount screws are to alow air to get between the reflector and top of your canopy. This will help the heat not baking your canopy top. and allow air flow in..

Now tank temp, with bigger bulbs ie 400 watt's they will increase tank temp over time. so make sure you have a proper cooling system or plan to help battle that issue..

Keep in mind i am sure there are others out there that can help you more than i, these are my salt-n-crusted $.02..

Best of luck...

 

+1 I would leave any air gap and your going to get a lot of heat. why do you want to run 400W on a 200 gallon?

 

I have 250W's in a wood canopy and was nervous.

I hung the reflectors from chains and mounted fans that exhaust out right over the bulbs.