As the light is raised higher does it lose its brightness in watts per gallon?

John Hartford · 03/06/2006, 10:41 PM

I am having a canopy designed for a metal halide retrofit made by hamilton technolgy. The light consist of 3 400 watts, and two 80 actnics VHO. The is for a 210 gallon reef tank. How far should the distance be between the the actual light fixture, to the top of the tank?

The taller the canopy is the higher the light is from the tank. Does this cause the watts per gallon to decrease?

h20cooled · 03/06/2006, 10:51 PM

I wouldn't say you lose watts per gallon you will just lose some of the intensity of the light. 3 400w over that tank is plenty you will not have any lighting issues.

My 250w bulbs are about 10" away from the water.

03/06/2006, 10:41 PM	#1
John Hartford Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 256	As the light is raised higher does it lose its brightness in watts per gallon? I am having a canopy designed for a metal halide retrofit made by hamilton technolgy. The light consist of 3 400 watts, and two 80 actnics VHO. The is for a 210 gallon reef tank. How far should the distance be between the the actual light fixture, to the top of the tank? The taller the canopy is the higher the light is from the tank. Does this cause the watts per gallon to decrease?

03/06/2006, 10:51 PM	#2
h20cooled Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 1,016	I wouldn't say you lose watts per gallon you will just lose some of the intensity of the light. 3 400w over that tank is plenty you will not have any lighting issues. My 250w bulbs are about 10" away from the water.