how high are your lights>?

[toddman74]

can you describe what kind of light you have (i.e. PC, T5, MH):
what king of light (pendant, fixture, canopy mounted):
and how high from the surface of the water are your lights?

Here's my issue:
1. low enough to get good light intensity
2. high enough to prevent heat issues
3. high enough to prevent splash / salt build up issues - more cleaning
4. how to make it easy to view from top or for getting your hand into the tank for feeding / cleaning.

 

[divecj5]

I have an Aquatinics 5-bulb T5 fixture over my 55 gallon tank. I have it basically sitting on the eggcrate that I have above the tank so I'd say it's abour 3-4 inches from the surface. I have had absolutely no heat issues with this fixture but I can't say the same for salt spray and splash Since I have my super skimmer HOB I get some spray from that as well. Kind of a pain in the butt to clean once in a while but all my corals love the lighting.

 

[JGoslee]

I have 2-250w de 14k phoenix in reef optix III pendants. I also have 2-39w T5 super actinics in IC independent reflectors. They are 9" above my water. I use 2 fans to move the heat from the waterline so I have no heat issues.

 

[dc_909]

2 175w halides and 4 54w T5s, about 9-10 inches off the water.

 

[minibowmatt]

I have a Pendant w/ MH & VHO. The bulbs are about 8" off the surface. my surface is kinda turbulant, so I dont want a rogue splash to pop a bulb. If i had less flow, I would run it about 5-6".
I have to manually raise the pendant's chains when its time for maintenance.

 

[raider77]

I have a Current Outer Orbit fixture with 2x150 watt 14k halides and 2x130 pc actinics. I have it about 6" above the tank and I have never had a heat issue.

 

[minibowmatt]

most hot glass will shatter if it is cooled too quickly. Even tempered. It isnt very often you hear about it, but it can and does happen.

 

[fishes2889]

T5's off 3inches from the surface.....not heat issues from T5's....

 

[patedship]

I have a Tek-5 T5 4x39w 36" fixture about 5" off the water on my display tank.

150w mh 14k Hamilton Reef Star that is over a foot off of the top on my prop tank.

No fans on either.

 

[143gadgets]

I have 2-250w 20K XM MHs w/ 2-110w Super VHO Actinics. They are 4.5-5" off the surface. No problems hear.