PFO Mini 250w HQI Hoods

[Rinaldi]

I just received two PFO Mini 250w HQI Hoods for the DE bulbs. Thanks!

Just wondering, do I mount them perpendicular or parallel to the front of the tank?

My MH 175w mogul bulbs on Tank #1 are about 6" from the water and get little or no spray . Can I mount these PFO hoods with the DE bulbs that close?

Thanks.

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi,

Glad the hoods arrived okay. Technically they are designed to mount perpendicular to the tank, but i can't notice too much different either way, so i would mount them whichever way fits the nicest on your tank, you should get a nice spread of light both ways.

Having them 6" from the water should be fine, that's a little close, but if they are not getting splash shouldn't hurt. You do want to keep the glass in the hqi pendants. We run without glass on Mogule bulbs, but with hqi there is no outer UV shield like a Mogule bulb, so i would keep the glass in at all times, unless you have corals that just love UV radition.

You will get a little more heat out of the 250's then your 175's, but shouldn't be too bad. You'll like the intensity, i think the 250hqi is probably twice as bright as the 175 mogules.

jason

 

[Rinaldi]

Thanks. I did parallel because it that will allow some extra room for some flourescents for dawn/dusk. A post in the main forum got a lot of debate on which is the preferred or better way to do it.

The color is truly fantastic - Bright white. Made my 175w 10k's look weak and very purple (Those bulbs are going on 18 months).

 

[David Grigor]

Jason,

I recieved mine recently as well. Quite disappointed with the light coverage with the pendant vs. spiderlight type reflectors.

Can you buy the DE socket only so I can make my own ? Is it a special type of glass needed to block the UV ?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi David,

The mini-hoods smaller reflector does limit the light spread compared to the more traditional reflectors. They will only sell them in Mini hoods though, i asked about a retro kit and said no way. It's just too dangerous because they emit so much UV, you do need a special UV coated glass. So for insurance reasons, i doubt you'll see a retro kit on them anytime soon.

If you decide to remove it from the minihood and install on a spider, just make sure you get the glass that has the uv coating. I imagine it's available at the hardware store or glass shop.

Also a note for anyone using double end bulbs, be sure not to touch the bulb with your bare skin, except for the edges is okay. The oil from your skin can cause the bulb to break. So use cloth gloves or if you do handle the bulb, use rubbing alcohol to clean the fingerprints off.

jason