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10-24-2003, 07:29 PM
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#1
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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Lighting Height
I'm redoing the canopy tomorrow and would like to now how high the MHs need to go or how close they can get to the water surface. I have 2 175watts on a 120. I can position fans to get it as cool as I need. Since I only have 175watts I was wandering what would be the "closest" I could lower them to? They will also not be covered(I know this is a controvesial issue but I know a number of experienced hobbyists who have taken this route with no problems and I can't find a way to cover them with the route I'm taking!)
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Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 07:42 PM
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#2
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,815
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I have my MH and PC bulbs about eight inches or so from the water. Here is a pic:
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10-24-2003, 07:54 PM
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#3
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,603
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About 8 to 10" 
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10-24-2003, 07:58 PM
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#4
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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Oh really? I always though 6 was okay, considering they're not as powerful as 250s. Is that too low if they can still stay cool?
__________________
Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 08:00 PM
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#5
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,603
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6 is ok if you can keep them cool and dont let water splash on them. 
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Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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10-24-2003, 08:01 PM
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#6
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Keeper of the stick
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Farmington
Posts: 1,708
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The big thing you need to worry about is any splash. regardless of the wattage they're all hot and anything that hits them in the hot condition will be VERY BAD!!!
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10-24-2003, 08:10 PM
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#7
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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Very true! Are the fish splashing them the main concern, or is there another?
__________________
Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 08:15 PM
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#8
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,603
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Theres another YOU! sticking your hands in  
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Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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10-24-2003, 08:20 PM
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#9
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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The way I'm planning is to attach the lights to a board witch will be on a hinge so that the board swings up. Whenever I need to get in the tank the lights will be well out of the way! I hope it works! So you think 6 is okay if I can keep them cool? And Casey, they don't seem to be after you! 
__________________
Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 08:28 PM
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#10
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Martinez, CA
Posts: 568
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8" unless you want to spend hours plucking glass from your tank after your bulb explodes! besides they get less efficient if they are cooled too much. make sure you get good reflectors. spider reflectors are great.
bill |
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10-24-2003, 08:30 PM
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#11
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,815
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Mine lights are 250ww MH's and your 175wwMH's should be fine at 6" as long as you can keep the water temp fine.
By the way I have some specks of water on the bulbs and hood but not enough to cause a problem! I clean them every so often. |
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10-24-2003, 08:40 PM
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#12
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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I so wish I had 250s! I guess I can always upgrade next year, everything seems to be doing fine so far!
__________________
Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 08:45 PM
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#13
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,603
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Austin 6 in is fine just as long as the temp is ok just use care when you go to lift the hood.They will be after me later
__________________
Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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10-24-2003, 08:50 PM
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#14
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Blacktip Shark
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middleburg, VA
Posts: 2,113
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Casey if you by me 250s I'll get you an orange chair for Christmas!
__________________
Austin
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want
He who fears the thorn, should never crave the rose.
-favorite TRT quote
Forecast for tonight: dark, continued dark overnight, widely scattered light by morning
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10-24-2003, 09:10 PM
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#15
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,603
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Austin will you just forget that orange chair 
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Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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