Shimmer effect

winvargh · 05/22/2010, 12:37 PM

How do you make the shimmer effect in your water? I know you need good lights and powerheads and what else?

Rskillz · 05/22/2010, 12:39 PM

Metal halides + LEDS work great, and make sure a powerhead is disturbing the surface of the water.

Works for me

dwd5813 · 05/22/2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rskillz

make sure a powerhead is disturbing the surface of the water.

Works for me

+1
i get shimmer lines with my T5's as long as i have good surface agitation.

winvargh · 05/22/2010, 12:42 PM

ok thanks alot

Dino · 05/22/2010, 02:41 PM

The shimmer lines are basically created when a point source of light shines down through the surface of agitated water which refracts and focuses the light. This is why fluorescent type bulbs aren't great for creating the effect because they emit light along their entire length rather than from a single point like MHs or LEDs. If you get a fluorescent light high enough above the water you can get the effect as from the view of the water the farther away the fluorescent light is the more it starts acting like a point source. That point source of light is really important though.

tkeracer619 · 05/22/2010, 07:44 PM

You cannot get shimmer with t5's. The shadows they can create with high surface agitation may look like shimmer but its not shimmer.

You don't even really need good surface agitation. You just need point source lights.

dwd5813 · 05/22/2010, 08:30 PM

okay

winvargh · 05/23/2010, 07:32 AM

what if the T5s were high enough above the water?

Chris27 · 05/23/2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winvargh

what if the T5s were high enough above the water?

If they are high enough off the water to produce shimmer, then they problably won't be very effective at lighting your tank. If you have T-5's, then some supplemental LED's can add the shimmer you desire with little power consumption.

winvargh · 05/23/2010, 05:14 PM

okk thanks alot for all your help!

BlueFaceAngel · 05/23/2010, 08:21 PM

your water needs to be clear...i get shimmer from vho's

nlandgraf · 05/23/2010, 08:23 PM

halides or LEDs, LEDs have more programmable options, but are really spendy

05/22/2010, 12:37 PM	#1
winvargh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Long Island Posts: 151	Shimmer effect How do you make the shimmer effect in your water? I know you need good lights and powerheads and what else?

05/22/2010, 02:41 PM	#5
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	The shimmer lines are basically created when a point source of light shines down through the surface of agitated water which refracts and focuses the light. This is why fluorescent type bulbs aren't great for creating the effect because they emit light along their entire length rather than from a single point like MHs or LEDs. If you get a fluorescent light high enough above the water you can get the effect as from the view of the water the farther away the fluorescent light is the more it starts acting like a point source. That point source of light is really important though. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

05/22/2010, 07:44 PM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You cannot get shimmer with t5's. The shadows they can create with high surface agitation may look like shimmer but its not shimmer. You don't even really need good surface agitation. You just need point source lights. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/22/2010, 08:30 PM	#7
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	okay __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Shimmer Effect	saleenpwr88	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	2	11/30/2008 11:59 PM
what is shimmering effect with HQI's?	sinful	Tampa Bay Reef Club	15	10/04/2008 08:04 PM
Excluding the shimmer effect..	Young Frankenstein	Do It Yourself	5	02/07/2008 10:53 AM
metal halides and shimmer effect	tripinpn01	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	3	07/15/2007 12:38 AM
shimmering effect	weezy	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	19	05/04/2006 01:09 PM

05/22/2010, 12:39 PM	#2
Rskillz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 355	Metal halides + LEDS work great, and make sure a powerhead is disturbing the surface of the water. Works for me

05/22/2010, 12:42 PM	#4
winvargh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Long Island Posts: 151	ok thanks alot

05/23/2010, 07:32 AM	#8
winvargh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Long Island Posts: 151	what if the T5s were high enough above the water?

05/23/2010, 05:14 PM	#10
winvargh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Long Island Posts: 151	okk thanks alot for all your help!

05/23/2010, 08:21 PM	#11
BlueFaceAngel Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 123	your water needs to be clear...i get shimmer from vho's

05/23/2010, 08:23 PM	#12
nlandgraf Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 65	halides or LEDs, LEDs have more programmable options, but are really spendy