heat !!

[Texreefer]

I have a canopy built from wood, two 400w halides are about to be installed. it is vented by two 4" fans in push/pull configuration.. do i need to worry about the paint or wood catching fire even if the max temp got up to 150?... way too much to rebuild at this point

[JimD]

In my opinion, the "push pull" configuration isnt as efficiant as both fans blowing accross the water surface. What are the dimentions of the tank and how high will the lights be from the surface?

[Texreefer]

they will be about 10 inches,, but i'm not worried about heat in the tank, i have a chiller and an enclosed room with airconditioner,, what i'm concerned with is the heat of the bulb so closed to the enclosed wood canopy and if ,over time the bulbs heat would start to burn the paint or the wood,, i do have reflectors but they do not comletely cover the interier of the canopy

[JimD]

People have been putting halides in boxes for years, usualy with no problems, if youre worried about burning the inside wood or paint, I suggest using stand offs to put an air space beween the canopy and the reflector.

[Texreefer]

thanks Jim, i will keep that in mind.

[caferacermike]

Tex could you glue a mirror to the top first and then glue the moguls to the mirror? I had a canopy built like that and man was it bright. that'd help keep the direct burn from the wood but I wouldn't think it'd be a problem. As was pointed out many many retrofits have been done with no more than a 12" piece of tin and a socket. As far as the fans you are trying to keep the bulbs cool not the water this time, am I right? I understand why you mention wanting to have the fans blow over the bulbs and not the water surface. From what I've read PC and T5 bulbs benefit from running cooler but Metal Halides actually burn better at higher temps. I got that info from a link from polkster's website, coralreefbazaar.

[urban79]

look in to painting it chrome. I lot of chrome paint is made from metal flakes. That should work. Look in to leaving the top of the hood open. cause I know you know, but heat rises...

[caferacermike]

Someone got themself a brand new big ol chiller.

[Texreefer]

yes i did and works great. the canopy is done and over tank ,, just didn't want to have to take it down and do a lot of extra work to it

[TexasTodd]

My used canopy had halide bat wing reflectors screwed right to the wood. There were some "toasty" marks in a couple spots.

TT

[brewercm]

Hey Tex, we need new pictures of your setup and hows it going?

[Texreefer]

its looking awesome... ready for some sps... starting to get lots of coralline growth.. unfortunately my picture taking skills aren't doing so well......

[safeuerwehr]

tex...i had halides in my wood canapy...i asked around and it was recommened that paint the inside for better light reflection.....I did not use any metal reflectors ....lets just say i was lucky i didnt burn the house down, the wood above the lights got pretty chared so i would do as JimD recomments and put some space between the wood and reflectors and as far as cooling the canapy mount your fans as close to your lights so that they draw the heat from the lights.....