mh on center brace

[duke62]

my i50 mh is putting alot of heat on center brace what should i do to relieve that problem.i was thinking maybe cutting a piece of pvc pipe and put it over the brace but im nervous that might melt or worse.or should i just move the lamp over a few inches.in that case it wont be hitting my clams just sps.WHAT TO DO.

 

[grknyer]

It will do damage over time if it is sitting right on top of it.You will need to raise before that happens.Is it a pendant type or fixture type?
I have a fixture that sat on the top of the tank with those little legs it came with.It sat a couple of inches from the top of the tank.I started to notice the brace was taking a beating so I had a canopy built.

 

[hijinks]

i cut my brace right off and left around 1 inch on each end to put screws in and then I put some metal cord and tightened it almost up.. The cord hasn't gotten any tighter so the front isn't bowing out anymore. Its been like that for more then 2 months full of water.

I've done it before with success so I hope I don't come home one day to 46 gallons of water in the room

 

[ocholoco]

hey

How about putting aluminum foil around the brace, It can deflect the heat away.

 

[Killerdrgn]

How about putting aluminum foil around the brace, It can deflect the heat away.

Mylar would be better.

 

[emmanuel]

I have seen a brace crack from this the tank was a 72 bow and has been running with no leaks for over 2 years with the cracked brace .
Is your bulb over the brace ?

 

[NYreefNoob]

why take the chance, just move the clam over

 

[duke62]

well the thing is i have 2 rock ledges.ledge to the right i want full of sps.rock to the left i want full of clams..yes the light is right over brace.what is this mylar killer

 

[Killerdrgn]

Its a kind of plastic metal sheet that they use for solar tents and such. Reflects a lot of heat away from whatever it's covering. They use it for everything now, most potato chip bags have a mylar lining in them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented)

 

[duke62]

that wasnt a link but thanks i will look into the mylar.if its not flammable that will be my course of action

 

[Will C]

I would also try to have an air gap between the brace and reflective material - 1/4" would make a big difference in heat transport.
BTW the pump works great! thanks

 

[duke62]

thats what i was thinking.it should kick arss its only 2 months old.see ya soon

 

[Killerdrgn]

ok the link is working. for some reason when I copy and paste it leaves off the last )