Help, my lights are burning my canopy up!!

[vittleking]

I just bought 2 x 175 Watt metal halides, a 96 Watt PC single actinic light, and 2 x 48" VHO actinic's. I installed them in my canopy and all I smell is burning wood in my house now when they are one. The lights are about 3-4 inches from the canopy, and afraid to get them too close to the water. I was thinking about attaching a mirror with epoxy somehow to put between the bulbs and the canopy, would that help? Any other ideas on how to "contain" the heat from these things?

[archer772]

What type of reflectors do you have and how far are they away from the wood. I would be installing a couple fans to pull the heat out also.

[vittleking]

they are just some janky DIY ones that came with it. They are made from aluminum ducts it looks like. I lined the inside of the canopy in foil for the time being untill I figure out a better way to go. The socket screws into the wood. The bulbs are about 3 inches from the wood, with about 6-8 inches to the top of the tank.

[archer772]

Try to put some spacers between the reflectors and the wood to give them some air flow like a small stack of metal washers

[vittleking]

gotcha, thanks!! Now if I can just get a friggin day off work LOL.

[archer772]

Trry to install a couple computer fans in the canopy to blow the hot air out and that will help and it will help to keep your tank cooler also

[vittleking]

thanks so much for your help Mr. Archer!!

[BeakerBob]

You can also line your canopy with roof flashing to absorb the heat and protect the wood. Cut it to fit and staple it in, then mount the reflector and mogul.

[ReeferRob]

Trry to install a couple computer fans in the canopy to blow the hot air out and that will help and it will help to keep your tank cooler also

I would think this is a must particularly in the summer time. Also to help the bulbs stay in spectrum longer.