Need help building DIY hood

I PLAN ON GETTING RID OF MY GLASS CANOPY WHEN I GET THE NEW HOOD ON THE TANK. DO I NEED TO PUT A PIECE OF PLEXIGLASS BETWEEN THE WATER AND THE BULBS? THE BULBS WILL BE ABOUT 18IN FROM THE WATER SURFACE.

 

Depends on which MH bulbs you use mogul or double ended.I know MOST single ended/mogul base ones usually dont need it.They have a glass bulb around the actual part that lights up.Its this outer bulb that filters UV.
18 inches seems pretty high what wattage are they?Mine are 400w @ 10"

 

I USED 18IN BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE A TEMP AROUND 80oC W/ MY PC BULBS AND I DONT WANT TO INCREASE THE TEMP ANYMORE. ITS ACTUALLY LIKE 17 OR 16 BECAUSE THE PLYWOOD TOP IS .75IN AND THE OUTLIT WILL DROP THE BULB ABOUT AN INCH. I DIDN'T DECIDE ON BULBS YET I FIGURE 2 250W OR 2 175W NOT SURE

 

I DIDNT THINK THIS WOULD BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE IVE SEEM SOME TANKS AT THE FISH STORE W/ THERE MH BULBS ABOUT THAT HIGH. IS IT

 

You should use a stand of and a peice of plywood there. say 2 1x2" going front to back the lay the plywood over this. Do this because it will allow you to out your wires from the lights between the light and the top of the hood. this way they are hiden and one will see them also this protects them from heat. run them the the back of the hood and through a drilled out hole.

This will put the light down almost 2 more inches and in your case it would be around 14 inches from the water. depending on the reflector you use this should be ok if using 2 x 250 watt MH bulbs.

This will also let us come down on the sides of the hood with the fans if the are side mounted and won't touch the top lid. Now they will be directly blowing onto the lights. This is if the are side mounted...

 

thanks dave ill try that

 

FOR METAL HALIDE LIGHTING HOW IS THE BRAND ICECAP MY LFS SAID TO GET THOSE. I REALLY DONT KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT THESE LIGHTS

 

OH AND ARE 2 4' FANS GOOD ENOUGH FOR 2 250MH BULBS AND 2 PC BULBS

 

[quote author=JOER0178 link=board=DIY;num=1081719452;start=15#16 date=04/20/04 at 12:14:44]FOR METAL HALIDE LIGHTING HOW IS THE BRAND ICECAP MY LFS SAID TO GET THOSE.  I REALLY DONT KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT THESE LIGHTS[/quote]

When first introduced a couple of years ago the had some issues but they have fixed those and I have heard nothing bad since. I know they are having a sale on them. I post several links for those in another thread recently.

 

[quote author=JOER0178 link=board=DIY;num=1081719452;start=15#17 date=04/20/04 at 12:20:33]OH AND ARE 2 4' FANS GOOD ENOUGH FOR 2 250MH BULBS AND 2 PC BULBS[/quote]

Not sure as every house is different. If you can install 4 do it.
NUGIO had 2 you may want to PM him and see what he has to say. He has a 120 gallon tank.