70 watt HQI over a 7g Bow??

[demon16v]

Hey, I was thinking about putting a 70 watt HQI on my nano. Tank is an All-Glass 7g bow. My question is how hot do these bulbs get? I wanted to keep it looking stock and use the stock plastic light hood, with a fan added on one side and cut slots for a vent on the other and with a new metal reflector. All this and I still want to be able to use the stock tank cover also. Will the heat of the bulb melt the plastic? Has anyone done this?? Or any other ideas you might have. Other than how hot the water might get.
Thanks

[johnrags1234]

I only have experience with 150w DE systems. I know though that they GET hot! Much hotter than even 1 75w SE IMO. I hope you will find a way to do it, and Im sure with that light you will have a screming tank. I would try to avoid putting it in the plastic hood though, and one of hose iceProbe chillers would probably be a must.

Good luch
hth
John

[Panda]

I've got a 70w HQI over my 8 gallon. It is in a metal fixture though. I do believe that it would get hot enough to melt the plastic. Maybe you should consider building a canopy out of wood?

[Carlos]

I also have a 70 watt HQI over my tank. I purchased one of those Jalli hoods and retrofitted the HQI in it. Looks pretty kewl and works well.

Carlos

[Panda]

Too bad ya had to get someone else to put the light in there for ya. :D :hammer:

[nc35]

I too have a 70watt MH HQI on a 10G TruVu. I have it sitting on top of a Acrylic hood. I cut out a rectangular hole on the top portion of the hood, and have a wood overlay on the edges of the cut out. The pendant sits on top of the wood and it protects the hood from melting and provides excellent lighting. Let me know if you need pics for ideas.

The light definetly generates alot of heat so I wouldn't recommend using the stock aga plastic hood. Majority of all HQI pendants are made of steel/aluminum.

Good luck!

[matt_rogers]

I'd love to see a pic of that. Can you post it here?

[nc35]

This is an old picture...let me know if you need a better pic of just the hood.

[matt_rogers]

Cool! Looks nice.

How many degrees does it spike your tank?

[nc35]

I can't really tell, since I have the tank at my climate controlled office. I guess its around 2 degrees F. In the mornings its around 80 degress and when the light comes on during the afternoon it jumps up to 82 degrees.

[matt_rogers]

Hey, that's not bad at all. Good to know, I was always curious about the 70 watt bulbs....

[MacnReef]

Demon,
I think you posted this same thing on nano-reef.com. So just read my reply there. But for this boards sake. HQIs are much to hot to be installed in that canopy or any other ABS plastic canopy. The bulb will run a few hundred degrees and will melt that plastic quick!

Just my 2 cents :rollface: