Metal Halide Question

[fish-aholic]

I have been looking at this site for building a cheap MH. http/aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html . Would the 400 watt still get so hot I would have to raise it a foot off the tank . I think the recomended ballast is electronic so it should run cooler, right? Or should i still go with the mh of hello lights?

 

[nanocubeking]

it isnt the ballast that puts off heat its the light itself that puts off heat.

 

[fish-aholic]

Oooh. So that bulb would produce just as much heat and would have to be a foot of the surface of the water? If thats the case I might as well go with the one from hellolights. Does the amount of space between the light and water decrease as wattage decreases?

 

[nanocubeking]

yes wattage does decrease but very little.