MH Lighting Fixture Over Center Brace?

My center brace has been melted for year from a MH upgrade gone awry. You're all sissies. What's a little glass bowing and a leak hear and there?

 

I have never used the 250 watts over a 46 but was told I would probably need a chiller so thats why I use the 2 150 Mh bulbs. 150 watt bulbs could never melt the center brace either as long as you have the glass shield on.

 

hmmm 2x150 watt mh would put out more heat then a 250, so im suprised you dont need a chiller!

 

Check this out!!
http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html

 

Ordered my lights

Thanks for the input everyone. I decided on a 4 bulb T5 fixture. I went with the Current Nova Extreme SLR T-5 fixture.8)

 

Just curious, those who voted nay to mounting a MH over hte center brace, is this because of piddly little concerns like melting the brace and having the front bow out of the aquarium or is it because the brace will block light from that center fixture?
The center brace on my tank is stainless steel so I don't think I need to worry about damage to the tank. My choices are to have the center light shaded a bit by the brace or to move from 3 MH fixtures to 4 MH fixtures over a 6' tank.

 

Your lucky, most newer tanks dont have stainless center braces but are plastic! and with a big tank and lots of water the last thing any one wants is that to melt!

Good choice with the t5s

 

One suggestion is i would change the bulbs out go with a name brand bulb you will notice a HUGE difference in color!

 

I agree with changing the bulbs. The ones my Current Nova came with lasted about 6 months before seeing a growth in GHA and cyano outbreak. I cut my T5 lights and the cyano died off and the GHA shrunk. Get some good ATI, UVL or Geissmans.

 

Thanks, I'll check out some bulbs while waiting for delivery.