USCG CWO Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 How far over from the ends do you mount your metal halides? I need some advice please. Here is a pic to give you and idea of what I am looking at. Thanks Shane [/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 In my opinion that looks good. If the clamp is where you are thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Are you using reflectors? The "center point" of the bulb should be centered in the opening, side to brace. take string or something rigid. X the top and you have center of opening. Bulbs are basically the same. 400w are longer bulbs, 250w shorter. Do not mount without reflector where it is so close to the wood. Fire wouldn't be too far beyond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Center the bulb in the center of the opening. So a 4ft tank would be in 12" from the sides, ie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG CWO Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Yes I am using reflector material. I plan on insulating the bulb from the wood. Is depth from water critical? I heard 8-12 inchs is standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 My 400's are 11" from the water, not the tank top. center would work fine, you may want to consider the rock and corals you wish to keep. If you are going to stack from the sides up to the center and keep your sps high and center you might move them a little closer to the center, this will give you more light in the center and less on the ends for softies and others that dont need (or want) as much light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 One thing to consider: If you move the bulbs closer together, you'll get a wider range of darker-to-brighter areas. SPS can go in the brighter area while LPS/rics/etc can go into the darker areas on the sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Yes I am using reflector material. I plan on insulating the bulb from the wood. Is depth from water critical? I heard 8-12 inchs is standard. There are a couple issues with finding the right height, one is the spread of the light (i.e coverage front to back of the tank) which will depend on the reflector you use and also heat generation/evaporation (worse the closer to the water). If I remember correctly, you had planned for quite a bit of airflow in the canopy which will help but this may still be an issue in terms of superheating the surface of the water. Unfortunately, I don't know of a good way to calculate the impact of this so it may require a little trial and error - either that or design an adjustable mounting! One additional issue with getting too close is the potential for water damage to the bulbs if your reflectors are not covered... Good luck - this is coming together really nicely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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