Finally got a metal Halide

[johnnjen]

Hey guys, Haven't been around to much lately, life has just been crazy.

Anyways the tank is doing great, everything is going, I did lose my bubble coral to an unknown reason.

Anyways we got a metal halide finally, I am getting ready to hang it. but 1 thing I am not sure of is how high to hang it above the tank.

Its a 250w bulb.

Another thing do I keep my compact floresents as well?

how Do I introduce the MH to the tank, Do I just turn it on and let it run? should I start with a short amount of time then work up to full day?

Thanks


JNJ

 

[Anonymous]

Did you get a pendant type fixture?

In any event, my pendant is about 8" give or take from the water surface.
Allows enough air beween the two that heat isnt an issue. As long as you arent right up on the water (dangers of splashing water onto the glass causing possible breakage, overheating resulting in excess evaporation) or too far away (loss of par) you will be fine.

When going from florescents to MH, it is a good idea to shorten the amount of time the light is on. In addition, you MAY want to start the light further away, and move it closer to the water surface to the desired position over time.

You shouldnt need the florescents anymore, but they make a good "transition" betwen mh on and off-in other words, florescents can come on an hour before and stay on an hour after the mh. But definately not nessecary.

 

[Len]

Halide reflectors are usually designed for 8-12" above the water line. That's a safe distance too. I'd keep the power compacts for actinics only. I like to have my actinics come on an hour before and stay on an hour after the halides.

You can acclimate the tank to the halides in one of two ways. Either start the halides high above the tank and bring it down every other day (a inch at a time) or start with shorter photoperiods and increase an hour every other day (from 2 hours up to the desired photoperiod duration).