How high for metal halides in mixed reef?

[blanden.adam]

Alright, we are getting really close to the 75 gallon tank upgrade! Just finished refurbishing an old Hamilton fixture bought from a fellow URS member (2 x 250W MH Mogul, 2 x 110W VHO), and now i'm going to work on the canopy. The fixture is made of wood, has an acrylic shield enclosing the fixture, 2x 120 mm cooling fans, a bent metal reflector (one reflector along the length of the fixture for both the MH and VHO bulbs), and interior wood painted with high gloss white paint.

My question is, how high would you guys put the bulbs off the top of the water with this setup? I keep both SPS and LPS primarily, an RBTA, a toadstool leather, 1 ricordea yuma, and a couple of zoanthids. What do ya think?

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Depending on the bulbs 12K, 14, 20K: 12 to 14"
That's what I had a few years back

Waffleman

 

[blanden.adam]

Thanks! I should say I plan on using 2 ushio 14K and 2 UVL Super Actinics

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks! I should say I plan on using 2 ushio 14K and 2 UVL Super Actinics

nice!

I keep SPLASH GUARD PROTECTED MH's roughly 8"-12" above water's surface.
If no splash guard at least 12". (Explosions suck).

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, 12" at least. If they're too close, you WILL burn your arm when you reach in to clean something and brush the lamp. Only a matter of time

 

[block head]

Friend uses adjustable pulleys. Pretty slick.

 

[tmz]

I'm up about six inches off the water in the 90 g lps tank with 2 175 w 15 xm moguls and vho actinic in a similar old oak veneer wood hamilton rebuilt. I got it for free years ago, bad vho ballast and switch, peeling veneer etc . For the sps tanks it's 250 14 k hamilitons with vho actinics with the metal fixture sitting on the tank top cover glass for the 120 and 89.

 

[tmz]

Friend uses adjustable pulleys. Pretty slick.

That's a very nice way to do it. It would take a lot of work for me though.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

who is FRIEND?

 

[blanden.adam]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I think I've settled on about 10-11" from the top of the water to the bottom of the bulb to start. The canopy will be built in such a way as to allow me to raise the fixture on top of the hood by a few inches using wood standoffs if it ends up being to close. Just waiting on the dosing pumps to come back in stock from BRS and then the tank switching can occur! hopefully this week......