Lighting ?

[kevinbeth]

How close to the water can i safely mount my MH fixtures?

 

[purplegorilla]

What kind of fixtures. I got mine about 7-8 inches from the water.

 

[kevinbeth]

Lumenmax reflectors. No glass shield on these. 250w x2

 

[hnguyen]

I have the same reflector on my 60 cube but I'm running 400w radiums, hung at 16" above my water line and my coral are loving it.

 

[purplegorilla]

If you are using the mogul bulbs then you can hang them pretty low. But either way, what you are more concern about are the salt creeps more than anything else. I have the mini lumenarc with glass shield and I would have to wipe off the shield every couple of months.

 

[hnguyen]

purpleGORILLA;630249 wrote: If you are using the mogul bulbs then you can hang them pretty low. But either way, what you are more concern about are the salt creeps more than anything else. I have the mini lumenarc with glass shield and I would have to wipe off the shield every couple of months.

I bought a glass shield for my reflector since it didn't come with one. ( I got it used) but I have no idea how to put it on the reflector!! Do I have to take apart the reflector to slid the glass shield on? Sorry I know it's off topic.

 

[purplegorilla]

Hnguyen;630271 wrote: I bought a glass shield for my reflector since it didn't come with one. ( I got it used) but I have no idea how to put it on the reflector!! Do I have to take apart the reflector to slid the glass shield on? Sorry I know it's off topic.

Yes, if you look closely there are phillip screws that will allow you to take the side panels out. Then you can slide in the glass. Its a lot of hassles.

 

[hnguyen]

purpleGORILLA;630279 wrote: Yes, if you look closely there are phillip screws that will allow you to take the side panels out. Then you can slide in the glass. Its a lot of hassles.

:doh: now I have to unmount my reflector to do that. I guess I have something to keep be busy with this weekend.

 

[kevinbeth]

I am using two radium mogul bulbs. Should i go ahaead and get the glass panels? Im using two 250w radiums and was wondering what you would suggest to add a little actinic color to it. Maybe just a few leds for color so i dont add any heat?

 

[hnguyen]

You can do that. I do it too. I run a 400w radium as well and when my MH go out I have my ecoxotic LEDs come on for the rest of the night. It gives my coral great color.

 

[kevinbeth]

If added a few t5 bulbs in the actinic range along the side of my canopy do you think that would add enough actinic color? Thinking led due to the heat issues im figuring on by using 500w in a canopy.

 

[kevinbeth]

More for me, i figure the radiums should color ok. I was looking at the LED thread in one of the tank forums and followed the link. Looks like they make a 48" led strip with royal blue scree led's. Forget how many but i was thinking that would be perfect. I noticed the ballast was dimable but it stated that it was not plug and play. What does that mean?