can fish get sunburned by a MH?

shabreeson · Feb 27, 2008

I know that this is a weird question because water tends to reflect UV light but I'm just trying to make sure.

I made my own light fixture. meaning I designed the frame and had my uncle fabricate it with high quality stainless steel, and then I mounted 4 Normal output florescent bulbs in it and then installed a MH. The MH is protected from splashing with a tempered piece of glass because the MH only sits 4 inches away from the water surface.

The MH is 250 W, it was on for 12 hours a day for a brief period but I got a secondary timer and is only on for 6 right now.

but I recently noticed that the top of my Flame angel is a little bit browner than the rest of its body. it doesn't look like a parasite to me because it is flush with his body, but I could be wrong. he has been in my tank for 3 or more months and has been a model fish other than his territorial nature.

(I would post a pic but I'm @ school on week days)

demonsp · Feb 27, 2008

4 inches MB a little low.It will cause a higher water temp.But im not sure this could burn the fish.But they will stress from a light upgrade. If you upgraded and just used at full time then this will stress coral and fish and may even cause an algea bloom from small to outa control. Also 12 full hours of main light MB a little much. I go 7 hours main and 2 hours antics with 1 hour before main in the morning and 1 hour after main in the evening.

shabreeson · Feb 27, 2008

I definitely agree that the full 12 hours was too much but I actually was testing how much it would raise the temperature of the tank. I set the few corals that I have really low in the tank. and the fish seem well other than my angels new tan...when it comes to an algae bloom, yes there is a good one going on but I am only starting with corals now so I have plenty of time to get it in check.

mouscacha · Feb 27, 2008

I do know that if you just started using a carbon reactor you could remove certain UV reflectors from your water.