Help with lighting...

[VisChaos]

I am getting my first MH and I have a few ???.

My tank is a 56 Column 18"x30"x25"deep. The light is an off brand, but it's a 250watt HQI 15k with 4 moon LED. The fixture is 24" wide (has legs, but not sure how tall)so I have to build a frame for it.

How far off the water should I keep it?

I plan to use screen to acclimate the light, how many layers...for how long?

Can I change the bulb to a better brand even though the fixture is not top-o-the line?

Thanx a ton
Michael

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hi Michael!

May I ask the name of the fixture and the brand?

 

[VisChaos]

Not sure. I bought it off of ebay. Only paid $132 as opposed to the $300 plus every place else. I know you get what you pay for, but... fingers crossed

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Metal-Halide...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

[VisChaos]

It has an Odyssea bulb.

 

[VisChaos]

The legs put it about 5" above the water, and I put 2 layers of black screen. With the screen it doesn't look much brighter than the 20 watt 20k I had before, but the color is much better. Way more white, but it is kinda bulky and doesn't leave much room for the actinic bulb I want to put back on.