Show me your 3' tanks lit by 2' t5s please.

Nerdy Nudi · 12/03/2009, 12:08 AM

I have been debating putting a shorter light on my 3' build.

reasons:
- greater range in brightness
- dimmer areas for lower light critters
- light source smaller = maybe some shimmer???
- less glare for nearby seating area
- save money

Pictures and thoughts are welcome!

lordofthereef · 12/03/2009, 12:56 AM

I can tell you that it won't provide shimmer as shimmer comes from a point source of light and not really the fact that it is smaller.

Nerdy Nudi · 12/03/2009, 01:14 AM

a point source is a "smaller" light source

take any light and move it higher and you will get some sort of shimmer. even my 65w pc. as the light moves farther away it gets "smaller" and creates shimmer.

the distance, size, surface agitation (water motion), and intensity of the light will dictate the amount and look of shimmer.

a 2' bank of t5's over a larger aquarium at a certain height can mimic a halide housed in a large reflector. try it!

nikon187 · 12/03/2009, 02:29 AM

your plan should work fine. I have a 4 foot fixture over my five foot tank. It isn't really that much darker on the sides at 5" off the water

Nerdy Nudi · 12/03/2009, 11:39 AM

anyone have any links to tanks lit this way?

12/03/2009, 12:08 AM	#1
Nerdy Nudi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 473	Show me your 3' tanks lit by 2' t5s please. I have been debating putting a shorter light on my 3' build. reasons: - greater range in brightness - dimmer areas for lower light critters - light source smaller = maybe some shimmer??? - less glare for nearby seating area - save money Pictures and thoughts are welcome! Last edited by Nerdy Nudi; 12/03/2009 at 12:23 AM.

12/03/2009, 12:56 AM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I can tell you that it won't provide shimmer as shimmer comes from a point source of light and not really the fact that it is smaller. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/03/2009, 02:29 AM	#4
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	your plan should work fine. I have a 4 foot fixture over my five foot tank. It isn't really that much darker on the sides at 5" off the water __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

12/03/2009, 01:14 AM	#3
Nerdy Nudi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 473	a point source is a "smaller" light source take any light and move it higher and you will get some sort of shimmer. even my 65w pc. as the light moves farther away it gets "smaller" and creates shimmer. the distance, size, surface agitation (water motion), and intensity of the light will dictate the amount and look of shimmer. a 2' bank of t5's over a larger aquarium at a certain height can mimic a halide housed in a large reflector. try it!

12/03/2009, 11:39 AM	#5
Nerdy Nudi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 473	anyone have any links to tanks lit this way?