The MH Clamp-On Unit Came Today, PICS

[Rig]

Hi All, (this post kinda follows the post "bulb selection questions" from a few days back)

Scott - Mounting it on the back of the fuge worked great, I'm a little worried though about it cracking the fuge (you should be able to see what I mean in the 2nd pic). I did however mount it pretty much dead center above one of the manifolds (it ends about one inch from the top of the fuge), so hopefully that might help. I'm thinking about wedging in a block of wood or something for more support though. That could be a disaster. I love the color of this lamp though, its a 20k 150W xde. And I love this shimmer, I was really missing out.

Couple questions:

Right now its about 5" above the glass.. do you think I could lower it any to get things more light? Or is this about as low as I should go?

Do you think I really need to cover the tank? Theres like a glass tube that goes over the bulb, but no glass enclosing the fixture itself?

Anyway, here are the pics of it set up.

From the Front:



From the side, with the fuge light taken off:

[ereefic]

Interesting little setup, who makes those?

I'm suprised that DE fixture has no glass below the bulb. Unless there is some other type of glass shield that i'm not aware of.

Glass on top of the tank is reducing light making it into the tank. I don't think it's alot, but we pay all this money for lights, may as well get all we can out of them. You can take the glass tops off, but you will have more evaporation. But with DE bulbs, you need a glass shield to block UV given off by these types of bulbs. SE bulbs have an outer glass shell which does this, DE do not. Some benefits can be better gas exchange, better cooling and less cleaning of the glass tops.

[Rig]

theres a little glass, like half cylinder that slips over the bulb, but the fixture itself is not enclosed. I think the evap might corrode something or I dont really know. I'd like to take the glass lid off, but am worried about damaging the light.

[Reefland]

I think 5" from the surface is a good height. I also suggest removing the glass cover, in addition to reducing the penetrating light you are reducing the gas exchange at the surface. Remove the tops, keep the light like it is and enjoy.

[Rig]

you dont think damage to the light would be a concern? The instructions specifically state for use over covered aquariums only? Don't get me wrong, i'd like to take the glass off for the reasons you mentioned, but am just concerned because the unit is'nt really enclosed.

[Reefland]

No there won't be any harm. You will need to begin cleaning the glass shield around the bulb as salt spray will get on it but other than that you'll be fine.