Lighting for a Cube

[Mokick]

I am planning to add a metal halide lamp to my 15 gallon tank (a 175 w 14k lamp). This will be a huge increase from my present 24 watt pc.

My question is can I prevent a drastic increase in temperature if I raise this lamp 15-20" above the tank iteself? How high can I go to get the benefits of the lamp and also not worry about fans or evaporation?

[Condiman]

Is this lamp going to be hanging from the ceiliing? If it is then about 10 to 12 inches should be fine. Heat shouldnt be a problem if you do it like this. But if you have it enclosed in a canopy then you will have to worry alot more about excess heat.

[jman785]

A fan definently would help if it blows across the surface of the water, as well as across the bottom of the halides.

[Mokick]

The halide would be hanging from the ceiling. 15" above the tank? Should I go higher?

[Condiman]

I personally think 15 would be good.

[Mokick]

15" above the tank, hanging from the ceiling should not affect the tempertature? I really would like to add the halide and not worry about the tank getting too hot because I really would like to avoid adding any fans. I was told that metal halides will "boil" a 15 gallon tank.

Also, how will running a 175w metal halide 8 or 9 hours a day affect my electric bill?

[miztahphong2]

15" is more than enough. my lfs has his 175 metal halide about 5 inches away from the 40 gallon anenome tank