Acrylic and MH...how compatable?

[ocamrzr]

I have a 96" 240 gallon acrylic tank (US Cell Cast) with 4 holes in the top for access, well i have three lights, which puts each 400W MH right above a support, The hood is 12" tall and I have 2 Ice Cap fans, but the acryllic still gets rather warm to touch, but not hot enough to burn. Any recommendations? I am using spider reflectors

Should my lights go right over the holes in the top? i.e. get another lamp?

Thanks

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I dont have personal experience, but I have read in several other threads that this is a VERY BAD idea. As I undertand, the heating of the acrlyic will weaken it. On a tank that size I would not want to take any chances. I would move the lights over the opennings.

 

[Entropy]

I would just shift everything over and add another bulb. That should fix the problem, no?

 

[Julio]

the same thing woudl happen with glass.

 

[ocamrzr]

will move them over, trying to save buying another light and more watts but it sounds like i will need another...thanks again!

 

[Entropy]

You could swap to 250w halides, but that would cost you even more up front (less down the road though). That would also run a lot cooler than the 400w bulbs.

 

[mwood]

I agree, 4 250's would be better.

 

[ocamrzr]

are you saying this for heat production? i really don't want to buy 4 ballasts, 4 bulbs etc.... i think i will plan to put in another 400W bulb and ballast.... is there a real downside to this, other than heat? i think if I went with 250 MH, i would need VHO actinics... the tank is 96X24X24