How high should lights be?

MikeP · #1 09-25-2006, 09:21 PM

I'm running two pendant style lights over my 190g. The tank is 30 inches deep. How high should the lights be above the water? They are 175 watts 14000k each.

OCDP · #2 09-25-2006, 09:27 PM

I'd say about 10" or so.. but it depends.. if your keeping SPS , I'd say lower it to about 8" or so (personally) . But I also only have a 20g tank which is very shallow, so for you.. it would most likely be lower than that. Probably about 5" or so,

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #3 09-25-2006, 09:29 PM

If this is a reef tank, 175w is under-powered for a 30 inch deep tank. Ideal for 175w is 20" & 24" max, unless you're sticking with low to mid-light requiring corals.

I have my lights about 4 to 5 inches above the water line.

Anthony

MikeP · #4 09-25-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

If this is a reef tank, 175w is under-powered for a 30 inch deep tank. Ideal for 175w is 20" & 24" max, unless you're sticking with low to mid-light requiring corals.

I have my lights about 4 to 5 inches above the water line.

Anthony

Yeah I realize the wattage is a bit low, I will likely upgrade in the future. I will buy the right corals for the lights I have and I will place them higher up. I might try to build something for T5's or PC's that I could mount inbetween the two pendants.

mark · #5 09-25-2006, 11:23 PM

I had sent a note to PFO about height of their pendants above water and cable length for my 2-250W.

Reply:

The recommended distance is around 5". This is primairly due to light distribution. It would be best that water did not splash on hood.
the housin gets extremely hot. Mount via spacers between wood canopy and light. The fixture comes with 8' cord to ballast. There is an 8' extension cord that can be purchased to lengthen the distance to 16'. It is best though to not extend the cords if possible. Lamp firing gets more difficult as the length from lamp to ballast increases.

Carla Turner x 17