need help with canopy height

[dtm]

I have a 180 gal 72x24x24. I just bought 3 lumenarc retro kits (the 19"x19" version) The problem I have now is, the canopy is a 12" and when I place the reflector inside the bulb is only 5" off the water and the reflector is only MAYBE an inch off the tank.

what is the recommended height that the bulb should be off the water? I'm going to have another canopy built. I already told the guy to build me a 14" canopy, but now I'm not too sure if thats going to work out. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to mount VHOs, and how hard its going to be working inside the tank with those lights.

I did leave alot of space in the back so that I could push the canopy back........(sorry I'm just thinking out loud)

Please, any recommendations are greatly apreciated (or pics of what youve done)

 

[BurntOutReefer]

raising the canopy is pretty easy (for a carpenter)....
figure out what height you want, and have the guy add the additional height at the bottom....if he is good, you wont even notice the add-on wood.
As far as bulb height...I only have MH's...and they ar 9" from water level....

 

[dtm]

thanks,,,,,,,,ok I need an even taller canopy, more like 16" just to get the light 9" off the water.

does anyone have pics of their tank with a tall canopy?

 

[bchbum189]

i think mine is like 20" tall

 

[Dholmblad]

What if your not a good carpender. Is there a way to raise the hood up? I had pc in my hood befor and I am upgrading to MH so I need to raise it about 8-10 inches.
I was thinking about taking the top off the hood and just have the sides, and use hanging pendants.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

yeah...could do that, but you'll get light coming out from any spaces ......so if that doesnt bother you...go for it....

 

[mushumatt]

My hood is I believe 16"-18" tall

 

[dtm]

well, I guess I was too late. the guy already made the canopy. so 14" it is. the light is going to be sitting a touch over 7" off the water......does anyone see any problems that I might run into running the lights that close?

 

[dtm]

thanks for pics everyone

 

[dtm]

ttt

 

[surfjeepzx]

Heat and salt creep on bulbs

 

[surfjeepzx]

Heat and salt creep on bulbs. Take the suggestion above and see how good the guy is, ask if he can come up with a way to raise the hood 3-5" with another panel. Hide the seam with some trim detail or such.

 

[mushumatt]

If he's a good enough carpenter he should be able to add more wood without much trouble

 

[dtm]

apparently he's not very good, he told me he couldnt do it