How high sould my lights be off the water?

sin142 · 10-10-2007, 11:21 PM

Ive heard from a friend of mine any where from 12 to 13 inches off the water does that sound about right?

Samper · 10-11-2007, 12:44 AM

If they are halides then yes I'd say that's about right. If they are T5's then you can get them very close. Mine sit 4.5" off the water.

salt-rookie · 10-11-2007, 02:39 AM

My halides are 9 inches above the surface.

**charlie** · 10-11-2007, 08:03 AM

Considering where you are, I would agree with Samper. I had my 400w lites that distance, and still had to use fans. Do you have a chiller?

sin142 · 10-12-2007, 07:16 PM

No chiller yet any problems with having VHO 10-12 inches of the water as well

**charlie** · 10-12-2007, 11:09 PM

I never had any.

razorfingerz · 10-30-2007, 04:16 PM

i keep mine 15 inches.. just because.. i got 500w on a 55g and i dont want any heat issues.. is this good?

***Reefland*** · 10-30-2007, 04:19 PM

You would get better pentration to the bottom of the tank if you lowered them about 4 inches. But if things are growing good you can leave them as is.

Live Rock Ricky · 10-30-2007, 06:57 PM

? for you guys....

are you talking distance from water or distance from top of tank?

Samper · 10-30-2007, 07:24 PM

I'm talking distance off the top of the water.

razorfingerz · 10-30-2007, 08:57 PM

yeah.. but.. i feel that 500watts on a 55g is a bit intense so.. i left them a little higher.. is this a good idea?

**charlie** · 10-30-2007, 09:26 PM

Just keep an eye on your corals, they will tell you if they like that height or not.

Live Rock Ricky · 10-30-2007, 09:29 PM

thanks guys

***Reefland*** · 10-31-2007, 02:12 PM

The dimensions of the 55g vs. the 75g are not difference except for the width. With that said, running your lights 11" from the water is no different than me running mine at that height, regardless of the tank volume.

But as Charlie said, if your corals are fine, leave it as is.

salt-rookie · 10-31-2007, 02:58 PM

Mine are 9" from the water level. I also have a fan that blows across the surcafe, two exhaust fans in the canopy and a 1/3 hp chiller. I never have any heat issues, and my growth and colors are great!

Have a peek!
YouTube - The Captive Reef
Phil

PROMET1 · 02-04-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sin142

No chiller yet any problems with having VHO 10-12 inches of the water as well

I have 2-46" and 1-36" VHO bulbs the are in a plexi hood aprox 4" above with 2 3" fans on my 65 flat back hex tank is runen 78-79 degrees. My tank is in a finished basement that might be helpen

art_of_war · 02-04-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorfingerz

yeah.. but.. i feel that 500watts on a 55g is a bit intense so.. i left them a little higher.. is this a good idea?

500 watts on a 55?! Man, that is a lot light for a small tank. And, no chiller? Wow! You could put that 3 feet above your tank and you'd be fine.

PROMET1 · 02-04-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by art_of_war

500 watts on a 55?! Man, that is a lot light for a small tank. And, no chiller? Wow! You could put that 3 feet above your tank and you'd be fine.

My bulbs = 46" are 110 watts and the 36" is 95 watts 315 total and they are in a built in canopy

315watts\ 65gal = 4.84 wats per gallon....... Just added the 36" this January.
I'm in the chicago burbs my basement is finished living space and is confortable (never checked the temp in the basement I'll be checken it when I get home) The tank runs around 78.5 to 80.5 max., I allready have a chiller picked out if needed I'll be watchen it close this spring.

art_of_war · 02-04-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROMET1

My bulbs = 46" are 110 watts and the 36" is 95 watts 315 total and they are in a built in canopy

315watts\ 65gal = 4.84 wats per gallon....... Just added the 36" this January.
I'm in the chicago burbs my basement is finished living space and is confortable (never checked the temp in the basement I'll be checken it when I get home) The tank runs around 78.5 to 80.5 max., I allready have a chiller picked out if needed I'll be watchen it close this spring.

Prom,

I think the age old guideline of watts/gal is now a thing of the past. I have 4 T-5's (48"), all 54 watts each on my 55 gallon. They're cheaper running, have more intensity, nicer colour and the bulbs cost less than my old retro PC's (which I had to run 6 bulbs on w/ nearly 400 watts).

PROMET1 · 02-05-2008, 09:40 AM

Art do you have any hard corals ?

10-10-2007, 11:21 PM	#1
sin142 Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 7	How high sould my lights be off the water? Ive heard from a friend of mine any where from 12 to 13 inches off the water does that sound about right?

10-11-2007, 12:44 AM	#2
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,761	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? If they are halides then yes I'd say that's about right. If they are T5's then you can get them very close. Mine sit 4.5" off the water. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

10-11-2007, 02:39 AM	#3
salt-rookie Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 104	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? My halides are 9 inches above the surface. __________________ Phil Jones http://www.reeftanksupply.com

10-11-2007, 08:03 AM	#4
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,715	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? Considering where you are, I would agree with Samper. I had my 400w lites that distance, and still had to use fans. Do you have a chiller? __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

10-12-2007, 07:16 PM	#5
sin142 Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 7	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? No chiller yet any problems with having VHO 10-12 inches of the water as well

10-12-2007, 11:09 PM	#6
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,715	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? I never had any. __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

10-30-2007, 04:16 PM	#7
razorfingerz Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 19	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? i keep mine 15 inches.. just because.. i got 500w on a 55g and i dont want any heat issues.. is this good?

10-30-2007, 04:19 PM	#8
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,030	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? You would get better pentration to the bottom of the tank if you lowered them about 4 inches. But if things are growing good you can leave them as is. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

10-30-2007, 06:57 PM	#9
Live Rock Ricky Citizen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norton, MA Posts: 124	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? ? for you guys.... are you talking distance from water or distance from top of tank?

10-30-2007, 07:24 PM	#10
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,761	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? I'm talking distance off the top of the water. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

10-30-2007, 08:57 PM	#11
razorfingerz Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 19	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? yeah.. but.. i feel that 500watts on a 55g is a bit intense so.. i left them a little higher.. is this a good idea?

10-30-2007, 09:26 PM	#12
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,715	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? Just keep an eye on your corals, they will tell you if they like that height or not. __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

10-30-2007, 09:29 PM	#13
Live Rock Ricky Citizen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norton, MA Posts: 124	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? thanks guys

10-31-2007, 02:12 PM	#14
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,030	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? The dimensions of the 55g vs. the 75g are not difference except for the width. With that said, running your lights 11" from the water is no different than me running mine at that height, regardless of the tank volume. But as Charlie said, if your corals are fine, leave it as is. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

10-31-2007, 02:58 PM	#15
salt-rookie Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 104	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? Mine are 9" from the water level. I also have a fan that blows across the surcafe, two exhaust fans in the canopy and a 1/3 hp chiller. I never have any heat issues, and my growth and colors are great! Have a peek! YouTube - The Captive Reef Phil __________________ Phil Jones http://www.reeftanksupply.com

02-05-2008, 09:40 AM	#20
PROMET1 Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MIDWEST Posts: 17	Re: How high sould my lights be off the water? Art do you have any hard corals ?

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