New lighting on my reef

[EMS503]

I have a 75 gallon reef that I am running four 4' VHO's
2 Actinic 03 & 2 Aqua suns. My new light 2 MH 175 watt 10,000k w/ 2 65 watt PC actinics will be in Tuesday or Wednesday. When I put the new lights on how long should I run the MH to start with and Adjust them over how long of a period. Also how long once the adjustment period is over should I run them?
I currently have asst. Mushrooms, Anchor, Trumpets, Toad stool, open brains, frogspawn & 1 not so healthy Acropora.
Powder blue tang, 2 Perculas, Coral Beauty & 4 Red fire fish.
Clam is next after I acclimate the lights to the tank.
I also plan on keeping the lights about 1" above my glass tops I being told the glass might break due to MH heat??

[Reefland]

Congratulations on your new lighting!

I would start out running the MH 2-3 hours per day and slowly increase the photoperiod to 10-12 hours over a 3-4 week period.

You are also correct to be concerned about the heat over the glass. I would at least place the MH 5" over the surface but 7" would be optimum.

Scott Z.

[Chris Lakies]

I use almost the same set-up with my halides 1" above the glass with no problems. The main thing is to have good circulation in the hood. Just make sure your fans aren't pointing directly at the halides.

[Chris Lakies]

What Halides are you getting (brand?)

[EMS503]

The bulb does not have a name on it, If there is such a thing it is probably a stock bulb that came with the unit.
Custom Sealife MH/PC unit. I didn't want to take a chance ordering my light on the web for fear of breakage. Purchased it from one of the LFS I deal with. I was not able to get one with VHO's .
I will learn with this one 2/175 MH & 2/65 watt PC.
when bulb change time comes I will replace PC's with 96 watt, MH im still researching on type and wattage. Getting alot of information right here.