Metal Halides are 3" away from my water

[xenon]

I am VERY limited in space so I am forced to install my Coralife Auqualight Pro 3" away from the water surface.

I know this is bad for heat issues but what else?

[Blown 346]

It can also cause a fire, shorts or bulbs/glass to shatter if they get splashed with water.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8782921#post8782921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
It can also cause a fire, shorts or bulbs/glass to shatter if they get splashed with water.

The bulbs are protected by a cover.

Here is a pic of my light:
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/coralife.jpg

[Blown 346]

Is the cover glass? If so once the lights are on that will get very hot. Water form the tank can cause it to shatter,crack. Then the bulb is exposed, and the same thing can happen with that. Then you run the risk of electrical fire.

[Folorin]

Mine is about 4" away, with a plastic cover - I get extreme evaporation for a while which decreases over time if i let the water level drop an inch or so...

I go through about 5g of RO in evaporation in my 70g tank per week.

Never had any other problems.

[jman77]

They are 150's ?, if so, you should be ok.

Just add some PC fans to blow accross the bulbs. Try two pc fans blowing across each bulb ...

[FEEDERFISH]

Fans blowing on the laps themselves change the Kelvin of the lamps, with 150's you should be ok, keep splashing to a min., and watch your temps in the summer

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8782872#post8782872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
I am VERY limited in space so I am forced to install my Coralife Auqualight Pro 3" away from the water surface.

I know this is bad for heat issues but what else?
This close to the surface, light will escape through the upper portion of your glass walls instead of being internally reflected back into the tank. When you turn off your room lights and leave only your MH lamps on, do you notice "glitter lines" on the floor and walls of your room?

[chriscobb]

You'll notice a bit of difference in the heat buildup......The fan with those units are junk IMO, and would seriously consider venting the canopy a good bit.