Metal Halides and Acrylic?

[triggerSD]

What is a safe distance to install a 175w halide over an acrylic tank. I dont want to melt the acrylic, warp it, or discolor it?

[suver569]

If I'm not mistaken, 10" is the standard for MH. Think you'd be safe with that.

[socalcreations]

well are the lights directly over the acrylic brace? What size tank and how thick is the acrylic? If the light is not directly over the brace then you should be fine. If it is then make sure the light is at lease 8 or more inches above it, 10 inches would be best IMO.

[triggerSD]

alright thanks. Just what I thought. Damn, I cant use my hood now.

[triggerSD]

The tank is a 60g. The hood is about 6 inches tall right now. Maybe a little more. I am kinda worried about the brace/tank/any part thats acrylic warping.

[triggerSD]

Thats what I was thinking also. My dads friend owns a carpentry business and will build it for free. Hopefully....

[socalcreations]

Yea at least 12 inches then, that usually puts to bulb at about 6 inches off the water level, if SE MH bulb, if DE bulb then you usually want to go taller than a 12 inch canopy. HTH.

[triggerSD]

It is a se setup/ 2x175. I love the color of the 20K I threw on it. made my tank glow.