My metal halide just torched my tank

[zoanthidfanatic]

I use to have PC lights on my acylic tank but just made the jump to a DE 250 W metal halide lamp and it just melted a 4x4 area of acylic on the top of the tank. I have 3 inch fans on the hood already and had the MH lamp about 9 inches above the tank. Any suggestions on how high above the tank my MH needs to be to not cause any further damage. THanks.

 

[Blown 346]

My halides are 12 inches from the water on my tank, so say about 9 or so from the actual plastic bracing. I also have 2 250 watt halides and the plastic bracing on my tank doesnt even get warm to the touch.

 

[dwhit0102]

The problem is that you have one light causing you to have to put it in the middle causing the heat on the brace. What I have found that works is place aluminum foil over the brace that way it blocks most of the heat. It may look ugly but it works great.

 

[zoanthidfanatic]

The entire tank is acrylic with two 6X6 inches holes on the left and right side and the middle of the top having a middle acrylic brace that was melted. I will try to raise the light an additional 3 inches and see if this makes a difference. Thanks.

 

[sarduci]

Two DE 250w's on a 90g, 12 inches from the top of the tank. Plastic trim is warm at best, at that range it barely makes the top of my hand warm. Then again, the top of my tank is open.....