MH distance from water

[ClownBoy]

Hi Folks;

I have a really nice new all-glass stand and canopy and didn’t realize before I bought it that the canopy was only 9 inches tall. This will put the bottom of the MH's abut 6 in from the water line. Will this work? I had intended to put 3 250s and 6 140 VHO's (all on timers appropriate for the time of day). Can I get away with this? If not how about 3 150s?

Help me please

CB

[Adrian]

Is there any way you can suspend the canopy? Having the halides 8-10 inches off the surface of the water will really help with the spread of the light, not to mention heat.

[jimdogg187]

Yeah, the AGA canopys are too short for MH IMO. Too dangerous. Try to take it back and build you own if you can. DYI canopys are not very difficult to build. Mine is about 12" from the surface. Good luck. Jim

[david8956]

I had intended to put 3 250s and 6 140 VHO's

I hope your heart isn't set on this. I have a 72 gal bowfront, and there just isn't room in a bowfront canopy for all of this lighting. I don't see any need for all of that lighting anyway. (3 halides over a 48" tank?) I run two 250 watt SE XM 10 k halides and two 110 watt Uri VHO actinics, can keep sps anywhere in the tank.

I feel if you use SE bulbs you will get a better light spread, which you need with the bulbs so close to the water. (By the way, my halides are only 5"-6" off the surface, I don't have any problems)

I wouldn't recommend the 150 watt halides. (depending of course on what corals you want to keep) I used to have them and needed to keep some of my sps in the upper 1/2 of the tank due to much lower par. If you haven't already seen it, this is a good site to compare bulbs / ballasts:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/