Distance of MH's from Water Surface?

[Sherri]

Since the Metal Halides are new for us, was wondering what distance should they be from the surface of the water? Have had them a bit higher due to adjusting all my softies from VHO to MH's. It's been 3 weeks now. The tank is 25" tall. Oh, and the lights are adjustable.
Thankya

Sherri :)

[Inno]

Usually 8-12 inches, depending on the halide as well.

[aquadoc]

I keep mine 8 inches off the water. So alot of the light goes into the tank insteads of being wasted in the room.

[Reef69]

I keep mine 8 in. off the surface..

[aquadoc]

It also depends on your heat issue with your tank. If your temp is cool then lower it.
Just keep an eye on your temp if you lower your light around 8 inches.

[Sherri]

There are 3 250w 20K's....got 2 cooling fans - temp mid day runs 79...

[jaded]

I keep mine closer than 8" I think they sit somewhere in the 6" range maybe even a little lower. I added a fan to keep the temp down and I watch splash very carefully!

[DeletedAccount]

I know that I have had two bulbs bust recently due to my silly hippo that likes to break the water surface and splash. Ours are about 8-9 inches off the water.

[Sherri]

Thanks everybody...looks like we have them about 8-9 inches now...will leave them. :)

[smelleybrad]

Ya Jaded, WATCH THE SPLASH!!!!!! <_<

[Tim Marvin]

Mine are 6 inches

[dan]

Mine are 6 inches

are they 250's or 400's tim? i'm installing 3- 400's 10k on mine and thinking 6'' might be to close. i also have 8 tangs

[starboard]

3/250 and 1/400w all DE. If you have ever been to the Carribean you'll realize how intense the light really is. I'm with Aquadoc and want to keep most of the light in the tank.

[Brett Wilson]

I preferred my 400W radium 20,000K's to be 5-6" from the water. They also had glass splash guards on the pendants.
I'd run a 250W 10,000K at 7-8" with a splash guard.

I ran a 150W at 3" above the water, usually with a shield that I had to clean all the time.

I based my hight preference not on how bright they were in the tank, but on how much they messed with the temperature
Hope that helps!

-Brett

[technomex]

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 150 brick with 2 400W 14k MH bulbs at about 10 inches off of the water. I was considering dropping them some more but wanted to ask first.

[jaded]

Ya Jaded, WATCH THE SPLASH!!!!!!


Yeah Brad, the day you told me about the busted bulb, I splashed a little bit up from a rubberband popping... I got a scary sizzle but not bust. Lucky I guess

[Polkster13]

Were you drinking/dosing with vodka at the time?

[smelleybrad]

LOL, that %#$@ scared me to death! I had glass everywhere too! Then I realized the bulb wasn't even mine :sick

[jaded]

LOL... no vodka, I'm just naturally accident prone and I seem to slurr for no reason too ;)