VHO - Distance from water?

[tikireefer]

I am building a custom canopy for my tank and I am going to be using VHO lighting. I was wondering if anyone knows the ideal distance for the light bulbs to be from the water. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Steven Pro]

As close as possible. Generally about 2" would be good to maximize light while minimizing salt spray.

 

[simion3]

I have mine 5 or 6" above the water in my 90.

 

[Jon Evans]

mine is about a foot, but I plan on lowering them to about 6"

 

[Dubbin1]

The closer the better but I think 2" is way to close. They will be covered with salt spray in no time flat being that close.

 

[tikireefer]

Thanks for all the input - I am thinking that I will try to mount the lights about 4-5" from the water surface. Does that sound like a happy medium? Thanks!

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6420879#post6420879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tikireefer
Thanks for all the input - I am thinking that I will try to mount the lights about 4-5" from the water surface. Does that sound like a happy medium? Thanks!

That would be a good place to start and then adjust from there.

 

[reg828]

i set mine 9 to 10 inches off the water

 

[spivack]

My first post. I have been reading post for about a week and I read one about heat from lights causing the tank brace to schatter (SP). Might this happen at 2 inches above the water?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

[welcome]
spivack!

4-5" should work fine.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Generally the heat and acrylic issue only relates to MH because of the intense heat they generate.