[marxsman]

I just got some halides for my 135 gal. I was wondering if the canopy will get to hot and burn. It is a wood canopy that sits on the tank and it will consist of two 175 watt halides and 4 36 in PC's. Will this get too hot. If so would a fan running in the side of the canopy fix this? Also I bought the halides used and want to know how to clean the bulbs before turning them on. Thanks

[charlie]

Tis possible you might have an issue. Does your canopy have an open back? One fan probably wouldn't do much good, but one on either side, one blowing in and one blowing out might.
As for cleaning the bulbs, I just use a wet paper towel and some vinegar water. Just make sure the bulbs are cool!!!!!!!!
How used were the bulbs?

[Reefland]

I would get two fans and place in each end. I would also get some new bulbs.

[pearl_aqg]

Make sure that when you handle the halide bulbs, new or not, you don't actually touch them with your fingers. I usually wear some work gloves. If you get oil on the glass from your fingers, it will weaken the glass at that point and you could have an explosion

[marxsman]

Thank you for the replies. I am going to fit them in today, The hood will have the two halides (they said the bulbs were 6 months old) and around them I am running 4 96 watt PC's. I will put the one fan on it that I have and monitor the temp. The hood does have an open back.

[newbie]

One quick question, how big is your sump and is it located under the tank or in another room? I have 2 250w halides over a 120 and 2 110 VHO's and since my sump is in the basement I do not have a lot of heat issues.

[marxsman]

The sump is under the tank but I actually put all the lights in and had a severe heat issue because the halide bulbs were only 7 inches from the glass tops. I ended up putting 2x4's between the canopy and the tank and it works just fine now.