Metal Halide Height

[sleeman]

Hey All,
I'm just about ready to put up two 250W MH's over a 72 gal tank. Any suggestions as to how high above the top of the tank. Is there an ideal height? It is built into a wall, so I have about 2 feet above the top of the tank to play with.
Can I leave the glass tops on to cut down on evaporation, or do I need to remove them?
Any suggestions would be aprreciated.
Cheers,

Al

[Stretch]

8-12 inches is the norm, but you can go closer or farther away depending on how your temps are. I keep mine at 7.5 inches

I suggest you remove the glass tops as the glass will cut down the amount of light coming in more and more over time.

[pocilipora]

And you get better gas exchange with no glass on top.

[sleeman]

OK, and what about the ballasts. Are you keepig them in your stand? I have a sump, so wondering if it will be too moist in there?

Cheers,

Al

[Stretch]

I keep mine on top of my canopy, High and Dry :razz:

[Aquattro]

I keep mine on top of my canopy, High and Dry :razz:

Same here...

[sleeman]

I guess I could keep them on top of the plywood holding the lights and reflector, would still be inside the struture though. as well as a fair bit of weight.

Any other ideas?


Al