VHO Retro Lighting Questions

rdaled · 01-07-2006, 02:27 PM

I am building a canopy to house (4) VHO URI's w/ water proof (resistant) end caps. I want to get my bulbs as close to the water as I can without causing any problems. How close is too close? With what I have so far there would be about 3" between the water line and the bulb. Too close?

Being that my tank is a 48Lx12Dx21H half hex I can ony fit (2)46.5", (1)36", & (1)24" bulbs giving me a total of 390 watts. I am wondering which corals I will be able to keep with this lighting.

Some that I would like to have:
polyps
frogspawn
hammer
leather
mushrooms
anemone

So whatcha think?

redwinger · 01-07-2006, 03:19 PM

You should be able to keep everything listed the only exception would be the anenome and the main thing determining that is what kind of anenome. Three inchs is pretty close about as close as I would want them. IMO 4-5 inchs is fine.

rdaled · 01-08-2006, 04:28 AM

What are the concerns with having the bulbs too close? The design of my canopy has them mounted to the lid which folds back. The only problem I can see right now is opening the lid when the lights are on...

Any other issues... like evaporation on the bulbs?

Thanks!

VWD · 01-08-2006, 10:24 AM

3 inches is alittle to close, You will have the heat from the bulbs heating the water and water slash on the bulbs, I have always put the bulbs pretty close but not that. No need to have them that near the surface , I have a bubble tip under VHO lighting and it has good color and hads gotting pretty big under the lighting.

Doug1 · 01-08-2006, 10:32 AM

6" is about right, even still you will want to make wiping the salt residue off the bulbs weekly or so

tdwyatt · 01-08-2006, 10:38 AM

maintenance to remove the salt spray willbe an issue at 3" from the water, as wil be keeping your reflectors clean. Bulb ends usually will have roblems only when the maintenance is not kept up, and the bulb pins are not properly seated (which leads to arcing and endcap melting, potential shock issues, fire, etc...

) Use a vacuum cleaner to suck off the salt about once a month, even better is to do this, then wipe the bulbs clean with some vinegar and allow them to dry OUTSIDE the hood. Vinegar will clean the calcium-based spray off the reflector without causing pitting or significant scratching if you use a microfiber towel to wipe the reflector with the vinegar.

HTH

rdaled · 01-08-2006, 12:23 PM

...thanks guys

LiquidLunch · 01-08-2006, 06:35 PM

I have always built my canopies with 2"x6" side pieces which are actually 5 1/2" tall. I routered out an area to accomodate the 48" bulbs/endcaps. The bottom edge of the canopy covers the plastic frame of the tank. I have 2 1/2" between the bulb and water. I have (2) NO URI 50/50's and (2) NO 6500k Daylight bulbs driven by an IceCap 660 Ballast mounted remotely in the cabinet. These are bad pictures, my water is crystal clear.

rdaled · 01-08-2006, 06:56 PM

Looks nice!

That's pretty much what I am building as well except with one little catch... my tank is a half hex. And they aren't even 45 degree angles. 2 of them are 26 degrees and 2 of them are 19 degrees. Needless to say it has been a little harder (and longer) than I anticipated to make it look as good as I'd like. Do you realize how hard it is to cut a square edge longer than 12" without a table saw?

At least my LR is cycling in my 10 gal sump. Of course the wifey isn't too happy about it sitting in her bath tub.