light height.

[divebud]

I'm adding a 48" 6 x 54 watt T5 retro fit fixture to my 65 gal tank and need some recommendations on how high above the tank to mount the lights. I would like them at high as possiable to keep the heat down, but don't want to sacrifice much intensity.

 

[bradreef]

8-10 inches is my opinion

 

[CarlaW]

I'm gonna follow Brad on this one. Do you have any fans in your canopy? If you've got fans, you might be able to get away at 6".

 

[divebud]

Got fans. Can add more. I will have to plum the tank straight to the city water supply (or I could run a pipe the 5 miles to the ocean) to deal with all the evaporation.

 

[Elmo18]

Using T5s, i'd put them lower than 8 inches. Probbably 6 inches. No more.

If it was metal halides i'd go 8-10 inches.

- Elmo

 

[Scooterman]

I have to agree with Elmo with this fluorescents you want them as low as you can get, mine are about 6" or 7" off the water & the Mh go higher like mentioned.