water temp & mh lighting
 

hi, i've just setup my new mh lighting about 8" from the top of the tank to the bottom of the light fixture. the water temp has risen 2-3degrees in 6 hours.
should the light be higher? or is it ok for the temp to go up a bit?

do you have any fans?....I am running 4 250's in an enclosed hood...installed 4 PC fans and it made a huge difference

the setup i hung up is pendant setup, not enclosed. there is 8 inches of open space between the tank and the light.

That's a huge increase in 6 hours, especially since it's not enclosed and is so high off the tank. Is this set up in a smallish room where room temps might be rising as well?

I have mine setup somewhat simmiliar and my tank temp increases about 3 degree's but I have found out that th reason my temp goes up so much is that my heater for whatever reason turns on every so often and heat the water even though it shouldn't...I solved my problem by unplugging my heater when my hallide is on and now my tank temp doesn't increase at all!!!

the room is about 9x12, in the basement of our home.
thinking about it, it's probably the floating glass thermometer thats giving the reading of the water at the top only.
do those stick on type thermometers work? any suggestions?

I love my 15$ Coralife digital thermometer. Probe can be placed anywhere in the tank. Mine is low and to the opposite side of the heater.

gotta get me one of those :smile:

Not to sound rude just for some info
I was shopping around for a digital thermometer I seen the Coralife everywhere (AI, Big Als) for around $15 and one day we were at Petsmart and they have them for $5.99 so I grabbed a couple. I have since been to 2 more Petsmarts and their regular price is $5.99 if your looking for one.

They work great I have a glass thermometer in the big tank and a coral life digital thermometer in my sump and they both read the same!!!