bulb height from water...?

SLane15 · 04/25/2010, 07:57 AM

i have a 250 HQI bulb that is about 8 inches from top of water now in my canopy. i think its too close bc i see the shadow of the center support bar. what is a good height for the HQI bulb and my other PC actinics?

score 110 · 04/25/2010, 08:46 AM

Do you have 1 or 2 bulds?

SLane15 · 04/25/2010, 08:56 AM

one 250w HQI, three 65w PC actinics

score 110 · 04/25/2010, 09:14 AM

How long is the tank?

loyalrogue · 04/25/2010, 09:19 AM

If the bulb is located over the center of the bar then it will cast a shadow.
The bulbs should be located over the center of the openings to avoid shadows.

score 110 · 04/25/2010, 09:22 AM

1 250w bulb will only cover at the most 2' by 2' by 30" deep.

SLane15 · 04/25/2010, 10:02 AM

yea i know thats why i have the 3 PCs... i was just wondering if there was an average height that most people are keeping there lights at. i know it will differ for every tank but wanted to hear some opinions. thanks everyone... any more advice is definitely welcome!

score 110 · 04/25/2010, 10:10 AM

Well then with that said I keep mine at 3" from water level. That is realy on the lower side but I don't have room in my canopy. They recomend having it at around 8" if you have the room. I'm also having alot of heat probs at that level. The chiller has to work alot harder cause I don't have fans in there.

coraljunky · 04/25/2010, 07:16 PM

Let's start this off right......what size tank do you have? What dimensions LxWxH? What are you currently keeping or plan to keep in the future? Fans in the hood? Chiller?

04/25/2010, 07:57 AM	#1
SLane15 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brickell Ave, Miami Posts: 233	bulb height from water...? i have a 250 HQI bulb that is about 8 inches from top of water now in my canopy. i think its too close bc i see the shadow of the center support bar. what is a good height for the HQI bulb and my other PC actinics? __________________ Sean

04/25/2010, 08:56 AM	#3
SLane15 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brickell Ave, Miami Posts: 233	one 250w HQI, three 65w PC actinics __________________ Sean

04/25/2010, 10:02 AM	#7
SLane15 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brickell Ave, Miami Posts: 233	yea i know thats why i have the 3 PCs... i was just wondering if there was an average height that most people are keeping there lights at. i know it will differ for every tank but wanted to hear some opinions. thanks everyone... any more advice is definitely welcome! __________________ Sean

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04/25/2010, 08:46 AM	#2
score 110 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: miami Posts: 272	Do you have 1 or 2 bulds?

04/25/2010, 09:14 AM	#4
score 110 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: miami Posts: 272	How long is the tank?

04/25/2010, 09:19 AM	#5
loyalrogue Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tamarac, Florida, USA Posts: 1,530	If the bulb is located over the center of the bar then it will cast a shadow. The bulbs should be located over the center of the openings to avoid shadows.

04/25/2010, 09:22 AM	#6
score 110 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: miami Posts: 272	1 250w bulb will only cover at the most 2' by 2' by 30" deep.

04/25/2010, 10:10 AM	#8
score 110 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: miami Posts: 272	Well then with that said I keep mine at 3" from water level. That is realy on the lower side but I don't have room in my canopy. They recomend having it at around 8" if you have the room. I'm also having alot of heat probs at that level. The chiller has to work alot harder cause I don't have fans in there.

04/25/2010, 07:16 PM	#9
coraljunky Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: FL Posts: 547	Let's start this off right......what size tank do you have? What dimensions LxWxH? What are you currently keeping or plan to keep in the future? Fans in the hood? Chiller?