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

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

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

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

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 ?

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