samsonny
New Member
First off, hello to all. Interesting board (especially the shark threads and Cincy's set-up! Very nice).
Anyway, can you guys give me opinions on VHO lights and a set-up I want for my tank (before I spend the $$$).
The tank is 8' long x 40" wide x 24" high.
I'm considering four 6' bulbs running across the entire top which will be mounted to the center lid (canopy has three lids) with bulb racks
OR
twelve 2' bulbs mounted in each separate lid (4 per lid) with stand-offs.
For ease of installation (and less $$$), I'm leaning towards 6' bulbs. If I ever want more lighting, I can add 4 more 6' bulbs to the bulb racks.
BUT, I don't know if most of the light will be directed into the tank or disperse inside the canopy IF I don't use reflectors. I can't use reflectors with the 6' bulbs but I can use them with the 2' bulbs.
What do you think? Will the internal reflectors (URI bulbs) be enough without reflectors?
I currently have N.O. lighting. (Ten 36" strip lights of 30w each. 300 watts. But each with a fixture and reflector inside the fixture.)
Will I see a VERY noticeable difference even with the four 6' bulbs versus my current set-up?
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Here's what the two options look like:
Anyway, can you guys give me opinions on VHO lights and a set-up I want for my tank (before I spend the $$$).
The tank is 8' long x 40" wide x 24" high.
I'm considering four 6' bulbs running across the entire top which will be mounted to the center lid (canopy has three lids) with bulb racks
OR
twelve 2' bulbs mounted in each separate lid (4 per lid) with stand-offs.
For ease of installation (and less $$$), I'm leaning towards 6' bulbs. If I ever want more lighting, I can add 4 more 6' bulbs to the bulb racks.
BUT, I don't know if most of the light will be directed into the tank or disperse inside the canopy IF I don't use reflectors. I can't use reflectors with the 6' bulbs but I can use them with the 2' bulbs.
What do you think? Will the internal reflectors (URI bulbs) be enough without reflectors?
I currently have N.O. lighting. (Ten 36" strip lights of 30w each. 300 watts. But each with a fixture and reflector inside the fixture.)
Will I see a VERY noticeable difference even with the four 6' bulbs versus my current set-up?
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Here's what the two options look like: