MH directly over center brace

[pickle311]

I'm debating on if I want to add another halide over my tank. My tank is a 130g acrylic tank and it's constructed of 1/2" all the way around. It has a 4 inch euro brace on the top with a 4 to 5 inch strip in the middle. My lighting is 2 250W DE halides with 2 110W VHOs. I have another 250W SE sitting here that will fir between the 2 DE fixtures that I'm thinking about adding, but I'm concerned if it will be too much heat for the center brace. The bulb would be 8 to 9 inches off of the brace. What do you guys think, would it be safe?

[Reef69]

I have mine over thge center brace, no problems. The water keeps it cool.

[bigdscobra]

The 180g that I have that use to be Joshua's had three MH over the top with two of the bigger computer fans and there was no problem. Just adding fans make a big difference

[pickle311]

The 180g that I have that use to be Joshua's had three MH over the top with two of the bigger computer fans and there was no problem. Just adding fans make a big difference

I've got 3 of the large fans inside of the canopy, I think it will be alright but I just wanted to hear from some people who have done it before I moved everything.

[bigdscobra]

Cool let us know how it works for you. 8)

[hobogato]

just be sure to keep it clean (top and bottom). i noticed a big difference in the shimmering in the center of my old tank when the center brace had algae on the bottom or salt film on the top.

[Reef69]

Yeah, just keep it clean of salt creep or algea on the bottom..should be fine.

[TexasState]

Place your light as high as possible. Acrylic has been known to crack due to heat b4, especially b/c of aging.

[LoneStar]

Place your light as high as possible. Acrylic has been known to crack due to heat b4, especially b/c of aging.

Yeah over time the light will cause the acylic to break down because of the intense light.

[mathias]

I have had a friend with a 125 he did 3 MH's and his center brace cracked.... might of been temp. change but it looked bad...