Installing MH's

[jlearned]

OK my new Metal halides came in today and I am getting ready to throw them into my hood. I have a pair of 175w bulbs with spider reflectors being driven by IcaCap ballasts.

The hood interior is painted white with a coat of exterior primer and a topcoat of exterior white semi gloss enamel. I already have 2 60" T-5 actinics lights installed as well.

Can I mount the reflectors directly to the hood or should I put in some kind of standoff to reduce the amount of heat transfering to the wooden hood?

If I should use a standoff of some sorts what would you recommend using?

-Jason

 

[seattle989]

from what i have seen anyways people just mount it on the hood. accompanied by either vents inside the hood and/ or fans blowing across the water.

 

[Krish]

I've always just mounted them directly to the hood. Same as a lot of others do as well.

 

[tike]

^ +1 worked for me!

 

[jlearned]

All right that is what I am doing. I am also mounting 2 PC case fans on opposite ends of the hood with each one moving 68cfm at a mere 24db (dead silent). Hopefully this will be enough to dissipate much of the heat.

 

[gas4544]

Congratulations on the new lighting. Its Friday night and you have new lights. Can it get any better?

 

[jlearned]

They look FANTASTIC! I got the lights installed and went out for some great Sushi and beers!

 

[Myteemouse]

sweet!
Those will make your tank pop and corals grow baby!!!!
CONGRATS!

 

[Krish]

Make sure the fans don't blow directly on the bulbs as it may kill the life of the bulb and also will change the color spectrum.