OUsnakebyte November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 If I mount a single 250 watt HQI MH pendant over the center of a 65 gallon tank's plastic center brace, say, 8-10 inches above the brace, do you think it will melt it? This would be suspended from the ceiling, not mounted in a canopy... Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 Hey Mike! I dunno. HOWEVER, I was thinking of going HQI for the future 150g and decided not to based on heat & space. I've got an acrylic and I guess I'm playing it save. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 i have a 250w bulb over a 46gl and i just have a fan blowing right on the center brace (back to front) and it stays alot cooler then i thought it would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUsnakebyte November 9, 2004 Author Share November 9, 2004 Hey Phil - is that split-happy BTA of yours cloning itself again...? Miller - how far above the brace is your fixture mounted? Is it in a canopy? I guess I should mention that I know the brace will cast a shadow, but this tank is not for SPS (it's not even my tank - a friend's). It's a new tank that will be mostly soft and a few LPS. But, IME, if you stick with this hobby long enough, you will eventually want MH. Just trying to save a few bucks up front... Then, if the SPS bug bites, just get a second fixture and call it a day... Later Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tygger November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 I'm not sure either. Initial instincts say "no". How about wraping aluminum foil around the brace as a preventative measure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 if it is high enough it should be fine. most of the uv is filtered from the fixture, so it is just a heat issue. As suggested, if he has a fan that will remove any worry (which he might need anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUsnakebyte November 9, 2004 Author Share November 9, 2004 if it is high enough it should be fine. most of the uv is filtered from the fixture, so it is just a heat issue. As suggested, if he has a fan that will remove any worry (which he might need anyway). Yeah, I was just worried about heat - to tell you the truth, I totally for got about UV... Ha! How quick we are to assume that this a guy entering this male-dominated hobby! I'm actually getting a female addicted!!! ]]]bdwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krish November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 Or add a metallic fixture ontop of the brace like Chip has -krish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller November 10, 2004 Share November 10, 2004 the bulb is not in a canopy and it is about 6 inches or so above the brace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 10, 2004 Share November 10, 2004 Actually, I had to replace my plastic brace since they both broke. I used angle iron and painted it like crazy. I believe it was UV/combined with heat that caused them to become brittle and snap. I use 3x250w MH with 70cfm fans and the tank is a Perfecto 220h. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav November 11, 2004 Share November 11, 2004 Mike, Now that you mention it, yea, she is looking pretty fat. Boy a split right now would be a real PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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