Light Mounting Height

[reelss]

I have a 120 gallon (4 x 2 x 2 ft) aquarium and will be mounting two AI Hydra 26s on it. I will predominantly be keeping softies with some LPS and SPS, but I haven't made up my mind yet.

What height above the water level should I plan on having my lights mounted at?

 

[skiergd011013]

Im not there right now, but my work has 3 hydras over our 275 gallon reef. Im going to say they are suspended 18" above the water

 

[don_chuwish]

They are very powerful, so you can go pretty high - makes for good spread and better color blending. An adjustable mounting option would be best though.

 

[reelss]

They are very powerful, so you can go pretty high - makes for good spread and better color blending. An adjustable mounting option would be best though.

Making my own using 80/20 and I would like to set it and forget it. Trying to balance both intensity and spread.

 

[Finhead]

I run a hybrid 2 Hydra 26's with 4 T5's 10" above the WL on a 12" shallow reef. No problems with spread or blending at that height running at a peak of 85%.

 

[anemonesaur]

I have my AI hydra26s about 6" above the water, but theres about another 4 inches to the tip of my highest acro.