a few basic MH questions

[Detritivore]

ok i just got a pfo reeflector, M58 ballast, and a 250w XM 10K SE. i've got a few questions before setting it up.

on the XM bulb box, it keeps saying "only operate the lamp in an enclosed fixture with a lens/diffuser material able to contain hot lamp fragments." well, the pfo reefflector certainly aint very enclosed, and i'm aware that many people dont have canopies. do i need to enclose the whole thing in a canopy?

another one: "never expose operating lamp to moisture" would mounting the bulb 9-12 inches over the water be enough to keep moisture away from it?

thanks

[gqjeff]

No lens is needed and I run my 400 watters 8" off my water and no problems if you do not have water splashing around.. Water can and will make a MH bulb explode if it gets on it while its hot.. With DE bulbs glass lenses are neccesary but SE that is not the case at all...

[Detritivore]

so do i need to enclose it in a canopy? i dont want to cause the heat.

[Diesel3443]

No you do not need to enclose in a canopy. I have beed running a 400w se about 8-9 inches off the water and no water splashes get to it

[gqjeff]

Nope no need for a canopy as Sean mentioned.. Best without as heat will dissipate instead of heating your water up...

[Detritivore]

ok, good. i was just worried about the bulb exploding.

i know these reflectors are designed to be mounted perpendicular to the tank, but mounting them parallel would work too right? the tank is only 20g by the way.

[gqjeff]

Yes either way will work fine...