Can't decide how high off the waterline to hang my T5 HO light fixture

[furball504]

I have a tek T5 HO 6x54W fixture on a 90 Gallon. 3 whites, 2 actinic and 1 pink. How high off the water should I hang my light?

 

[jimrawr]

Really depends on the bulbs you have and the corals. I have a 6 bulb ATI fixture, and I replaced a 400w halide. The t5's at the same height started to burn my corals when my 400w halide didnt. So I had to raise it up I bit. Is your hanging kit adjustable? I would start it around 10 inches and then adjust as needed.

 

[furball504]

I don't have a hanging kit just yet...Planning to stop by Homedepot to see if they have an adjustable kit. I doubt they do but doesnt hurt to try. My tank is brand spanking new I hope to keep a mixed reef someday. My goal is to fill it with 90% sps

 

[chuckreef]

8 to 10 inches is a good starting point.

 

[Bugger]

My tech light 8 bulb was right at the water surface but I switched because it wasnt bright enough. I went back to t5 but I dont see the ppoint in rasing the bulbs to much

 

[Fieroguy19]

I have a Tek Elite 6x54W on a 90g and I keep the fixture 3 inches above the tank frame and it has done well for me. I keep LPS and a few zoas in the bottom 25% of the tank and SPS everywhere else ranging from 200-650 PAR.

 

[furball504]

3 inches wow that's almost in the waterb

 

[dixiedog]

I don't have a hanging kit just yet...Planning to stop by Homedepot to see if they have an adjustable kit. I doubt they do but doesnt hurt to try. My tank is brand spanking new I hope to keep a mixed reef someday. My goal is to fill it with 90% sps

Furball, check out "Sun Lifts". They let you raise and lower your fixture at will, which is pretty awesome. I've been using them for a couple years now.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/710120.html

 

[GPB]

I'm interested in this thread. I have a 6 x 24watt T5 over my cube about three inches off waterline and am worried I burnt my favia, blasto, and plate sitting on / near bottom of my 37G. I cut back my photoperiod an only run 4 14K bulbs about 5 hours per day now. Things seem to be getting a better. I was worried my T5's would be bright enough. I never dreamed they could fry anything.

 

[dixiedog]

Yeah the word about that is slow to spread. T5's are still widely underestimated. Many an SPS has been roasted by people who thought "it was right under halides, I shouldn't need to acclimate it" ...

 

[E.intheC]

I have a Tek Elite 6x54W on a 90g and I keep the fixture 3 inches above the tank frame and it has done well for me. I keep LPS and a few zoas in the bottom 25% of the tank and SPS everywhere else ranging from 200-650 PAR.

I have a similar setup (Aquatinics 5 bulb fixture) on my 90. All ATI bulbs. The fixture is about 2-3 inches off the top. I put a brown milli on the sand bed. Less than 1 week later and it's starting to change to a beautiful purple and green color.

 

[stevedola]

I started my sunpower at 8 and have lowered to 4" off the water.

 

[AugustWest]

I've got my 8x24W Sunpower at 8" above the water. I'd start at about 10-12" and lower it from there.

 

[Froggy]

I keep my Tek 8 X 54 6" off the water on my 120. I do not use the splash shield and high PAR bulbs. 6" seems to keep water splash off of the reflectors

Joe

 

[furball504]

I'm interested in this thread. I have a 6 x 24watt T5 over my cube about three inches off waterline and am worried I burnt my favia, blasto, and plate sitting on / near bottom of my 37G. I cut back my photoperiod an only run 4 14K bulbs about 5 hours per day now. Things seem to be getting a better. I was worried my T5's would be bright enough. I never dreamed they could fry anything.

YOu threadd jacker you :hmm4: That's too much blue for my taste though

 

[furball504]

Furball, check out "Sun Lifts". They let you raise and lower your fixture at will, which is pretty awesome. I've been using them for a couple years now.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/710120.html

I seen some people use that but it's only for fixture up to 36 inches

 

[dixiedog]

Yes, I know the product description says 36" but I don't know why. The only thing that matters is weight. I used to have my 8x54 Tek hanging on a pair of them.

Just something to think about.

 

[furball504]

Cool dea..thanksl