[shermlock]

I have a 60 gallon flat back hex about ready to go up. I built a canopy and last night I thought hey, should I put the dual MH 250 lights perpendicular or parallel to the tank?

Another question is do you folks think I'll have a problem with heat if I have two fans blowing in, an open back, and four vents? The bulbs will be 6-8 inches off the water.
Any guidance will be appreciated.
Scott

 

[Daniel411]

Several manufacturers of mh lighting systems have their bulbs perpendicular as well as parallel. So I doubt theres a difference. Just make sure you have a high quality reflector.

I couldn't tell you about if you're have heat issues. I'm 6-8" off the water with 150w hql mh's and don't. Not sure if thats any help.

 

[rscdragon]

If you read authors like Calfo and Ferrner(sp) They say that by placing them paralle to the tank you will lose more light. If they a place the perpendicular you gain the most out of the light. So I think there is a big difference in how you place the light!

Thik about the shape of the bulb and the reflector? They are designed to spreed the light out width wise. This is how they say that you need one MH for every two feet. So if you were to turn it parallel to the front of the tank you would be wasting light by projecting it beyond the width of the tank. As to were if it were perp. it would cast the light across 2 feet of the tanks lenght.

I hope this makes sense.

Rob