Best results in hanging 400w MH Lights

[ebosshard]

How high over the water should these be hung?

3x400w 10k MH's (actually 1 20k in the middle, 2 10k's on the ends)
4x96 pc's

30" deep 220g tank

Want the best light but also trying not to buy a chiller

room temp is always 70 degrees

Thanks

Eric

 

[Achilles Tang]

About 6 - 12 inches would be best.

It also depends on your reflector. You lose some intensity as you go up but that would also mean you have a wider spread of light.

Too close to your water and it'll boil! Nah.. but the heat would also mean that any accidental water splashes may shatter the bulb.

Achilles T

 

[reefann]

My 400's are about 12" off the water. This works good for me because my hands are under the hood a lot while they are on. I dont feel like getting burnt by one, or worse splashing it.
JJ
BTW we have about the same setup and I have never needed a chiller. Granted the lights have not been on through summer yet but the room is temp controlled so I should be ok.
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hash

 

[jsbradbury]

ebosshard- thinking of putting the same lamp setup on my tank. 2 10k's with a 20k in the middle. Anyway you can hook up some pics so I can see what yours looks like? Also, how big is your tank?