Wiring and Mounting IceCap & VHOs

[CaymanLoversII]

Oh boy, the new IceCap 660 and four 36" VHO bulbs arrived. I am building a light hood and have a few questions:

1. I assume the wires just push into the German plastic end caps, correct?

2. I know some stores sell stand-offs for the mounts. Is that for heat reasons? How far from the sides, top and each other do the VHO tubes need to be?

3. How far from the glass top on the tank should the VHO tubes be?

3. These VHOs have the 180 degree refectors, should I still put a reflector above them?

Thanks for the help!

[TroyF]

1. I assume the wires just push into the German plastic end caps, correct?

Yes, just follow the wiring diagram and in they go.

2. I know some stores sell stand-offs for the mounts. Is that for heat reasons? How far from the sides, top and each other do the VHO tubes need to be?

Do your endcaps have the little L bracket? If so I wouldn't bother with the acrylic stand off.

3. How far from the glass top on the tank should the VHO tubes be?

I'd say you can mount them as low as you want. You may want to consider getting rid of the glass top to take full advantage of the light intensity and oxygen exchange. If you remove your glass mount them far enough off the surface of the water that they aren't getting wet otherwise you'll be cleaning them all the time.

3. These VHOs have the 180 degree refectors, should I still put a reflector above them?

If you have a reflector I'd use it if not oh well.

[Minnreefer]

I agree with everything that Troy said.

Jon

[TroyF]

Could someone please tag this for the archives? I need to be able to go back and quote it to my significant other whenever the need arises.

[CaymanLoversII]

Thanks for the prompt replies and advice. One more question, I will be installing 2 3" fans, one on each end to push-pull air. Any suggestions regarding that?

Thanks agaiin!

[Doug1]

Tagged for Archives
I havent done the push pull thing yet I use a 4" HD fan that blows across the back opening and cools real well, maybe to well. Try it with out the fan pulling from opposite end(it will tend to collect salt creep and die first)