Hood Size for Halides?

[NeuroDoc]

What is the minimum distance between the top of an acrylic tank and metal halide lighting? I don't want to overheat my tank or melt the acrylic. At what distance should I start worrying that I'm going to do that?

Thanks for helping out a newbie.

 

[Rock-N-Ruin]

10 to 12" the standard seems to be 12" some people use 10" but I would recommend no less than 12" This is where I have mine, and only my preference.. Do what you feel is safest!

 

[NeuroDoc]

do you mean a 12" hood, or 12" from the bottom of the light to the top of the tank?

 

[Elmo18]

I have the base of the metal halide bulb on a plane parallel to the surface of the water at 9" above the water line.

Best,
Ilham

 

[liveforphysics]

Its a function of bulb wattage, bulb color, air flow, and reflector.

I had my dual 400watt halides 3" from the the acrilic cover, which was about 4.5" above the water. I did this because the design of the reflector demanded it if I didnt want to throw away over half the light onto the sides of the tank and carpet.

One day I unpluged the fan and forgot about it, the acrilic had a couple little waves in it, but nothing I would considder structural damage.