[ryddo]

I also posted this in the Lighting Forum. I am really worried about this and need some advise!

I know they are usually hot, but this is crazy. Here is the situation. I have just converted a PFO lighting fixture from a dual 175W SE halide to a dual 250W HQI fixture with 2 10k Reeflux bulbs and 2 250W Coralvue ballasts. The problem that I am experiencing is that one bulb is fairly cool when running but the other is extremely HOT! When I say hot, I mean that touching the light fixure is painful?? Has anyone ever had this issue before? I wired both HQI sockets exactly the same and the ballasts are identical? Please help!

Thanks,
Ryan

[wozza]

i have a 150w DE MH pendent and when its been on for about an hour its to hot to touch.

james

[ryddo]

I just don't understand why one is so much cooler then the other? I am wondering if I did something wrong when I wired them or if this is a defect? And again, when I say hot, I mean if you leave your hand on there for 30 seconds you will get a blister? Does this sound right? When I had my smaller tank I had a single 250W hqi and again, it never got this hot? My biggest concern is that I have this fixture on a 75 gallon acrylic aquarium and I am not sure how they react with heat? Is there a minimum height that the fixture should be over the tank? Right now the fixture is about 5" - 6" above the tank, should it be higher?

[wozza]

i think the lowest recomended is about 9-10" i have mine at 10".
i just did a test on my MH to see how long it took before my hand started to hurt, it took 5 seconds and i could no longer take the pain.
i could be wrong but i wouldnt be to worried about it being that hot, but it is a little strange that one is cooler than the other.

maybe you could contact the company that makes it?

cheers james