Halide light

[bigjackstud]

How close do you mount a retro 175w to the top of your water? Mine is 2 feet away. Could this be the cause of my zoo's dieing? Maybe move them up top a bit?

[nctommy]

Your light should be 8 to 11 inches above the water. Also, if it is a 150 gal tank you might need more watts. IMO, if your tank is deeper than 20" you should use a 250 or 400 watt MH.

[bigjackstud]

Ok Thanks! Anyone else have any input on this?

[t5Nitro]

My 250 watt lights are 4-5" off the water line only because my canopy is too short.

[jasontg99]

I have a 150 also. I use 2 400W MH. The bottom of the refectors are 11" from the top of the water. If you decide to redo your canopy, just make sure you leave yourself enough room to get your arm in the tank to move stuff around.

[supertech3]

keep the light about 8-10" for the cases of fish, water splashing

[bigjackstud]

I just redid my conopy actually jasontg99, to accomidate the mh... Had a real short topper, about a 6 incher.... Installed the mh, It was 2 feet off the top of the water. Now it's 16 1/2" lowered it 7 1/2 inches. Ahhh the joys of retro fit! lol I moved my zoo's up to approx 6 inches from the top as well... Lets see if this does any good... I don't have any splashing fish supertech3, but i get your drift. Sounds like t5nitro needs to start building! Thanks for all your answers peoples! Love reefcentral!!! Ok to end this thread...Thanks!!!!

[skeeter_ca]

I say the closer the better, to get more lumes in the water. However you do need to leave enough room to reach into your tank without accidently touching the bulbs. Mine are about 10" above the water and still get burned when i touch my elbow against the bulb. I have a scar now from one very nasty burn when i was playing in the tank and have been burned several other times. I'm too stupid to learn. lol. Leave at least 12" if you can.

skeeter

[bigjackstud]

Well skeeter, 16 1/2" to the top of the water line now. Plenty of room to work there. Hope I don't need to lower it any more! I don't like burns! lol

[bigjackstud]

I'd put a photo on here but can't figure out how to get it below the 50k limit so won't kick back on me...