Light distance from surface

[ScruffyRubicon]

My new MH are really heating up the tank. The fixture is sitting at about 5" above the water right now. It is on the legs that came with it. How much difference could raising the fixture just one inch make? Is much more distance needed to really cool it down?

[whatevva]

It's Chiller Time! (Welcome to the club)

[TrojanScott]

I've always been told that MH's need to be 8-10 inches off your water. Don't get a chiller till you try that. Are they covered? (you mentioned a fixure) I'd never have my MH's that close to the water! Try raising them a bit first.

[jenajet]

I agree with raising the lights. I also recently placed a fan near my tank to blow across the water and its an amazing difference. Someday I'll get the hubby to add my ica chiller but till then the fan is working great!

[Loverotties]

I'd have it up higher! like at least 8".If water spashes up on the HOT Mh bulb it could explode and the Mercury could go in the tank and wipe it out.

[ScruffyRubicon]

The fixture I have is the Aqualight Pro HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Light Fixture so I have covers over the bulbs. I have been considering getting the suspension hardware for it. Looks like I will be picking it up today. That will be much cheaper than a chiller at this point.

[Casey]

Raise it up and add a fan blowing on the water surface.

[Hardhead Cat]

I have the exact same light fixture and ended up buying a chiller - suspending the lights just didn't work for my house setup --- it was throwing light around the room, into people's eyes, etc.....good luck!

HHC

[deathmatch782]

like the others said, try raising your lights.
there's also the fan across the tank or sump which helps, you need to keep up on top offs then

[ScruffyRubicon]

Got the suspension hardware and moved my fan to hit the surface better. So far so good! Temp isn't rising near as fast now.