so i got mh fixture

[dubs]

i am a little unsure on the hight bove the tank ..would ike to know manny inches above is the minimun the fixture should be.. was thinking 3.5inch or is that too low i dont want to heat up my water too much

 

[shawn]

got my mh 10" above water

 

[pecan2phat]

I would try 5" or higher. Are your bulbs protected from water splashes with a glass shield?
Placing the light too low and having some splashes on an SE bulb would result in the bulb cracking or even exploding.
Even if you have DE bulbs which must have the glass shield for UV absorbtion, it would still be a PIA to wipe down all the time if the light was too close to the water surface.

 

[Avi]

It also depends on whether or not you have a glass canopy on the tank. If so, then 3.5 or 4-inches is fine. The canopy will cut down on lighting value to a small extent so lower is in order for that reason. It could be higher if the tank isn't covered and like pecan mentioned, you a splash guard is important. If you have a chiller, then don't worry about the heat (though you might worry a bit about the higher cost you'd have in keeping the chiller going more often.)

 

[dubs]

ok so i see that its going to be 5 inch thanks for the input guys

 

[Chraddam]

I just dealt with the same thing. It took a day or two to figure out the optimum height, using 3-4 hour light cycles. Then I went to home depot and bought some wood and hardware, and...

...this worked for me. I still have to install a fan in the back wall of the wood, but the temp has been cool lately so I figure I have some time until heat becomes a factor.

 

[Awibrandy]

Mine are 8" above the water surface. You may also have to consider your wattage. Not sure on that, but it stands to reason the higher wattage would make a difference.

Chraddam, now put a door on it.

 

[Chraddam]

Mine are 8" above the water surface. You may also have to consider your wattage. Not sure on that, but it stands to reason the higher wattage would make a difference.

Chraddam, now put a door on it.

Heh, you read my mind-I am going with thick acrylic for the front, with hinges so i can open it when I use the fan I am going to install in the back

 

[Awibrandy]

Thick acrylic may still let the glow of the lights through! Why not just get some wood doors?

Back to topic please!lol

 

[dubs]

ok so after all the input time to go and break my carpentry tools canopy time thanks guys

 

[Awibrandy]

ok so after all the input time to go and break my carpentry tools canopy time thanks guys

Cool don't forget to post picks.

 

[dubs]

u guys love the pics ...lol hey i am pretty good carpenter/plumber after 15 year of build houses in lower westchester a canopy is piece of cake ... can ask one more qestion since am raising the light does that my the t5 less affective cause the t5 r for 24 inches or less??

 

[juiceguy]

the higher you go, the less effective the t-5's are but since it is a MH/T-5 unit, you are getting your light from the halides, the t-5 become just a compliment to the halides.