Hmm... PAR with T5HO no reflectors

[feh]

Any idea what kind of PAR would be expected from 2 T5HO in a fixture with the reflectors removed? I get great results with a single bulb on top of my 75 gallon for everything but the hydro wrapped around the wood. I was thinking CO2 might resolve the issue by allowing better uptake but at the same time consider at most its 6 inches from the light its still too much light for it. Guess I'm gonna have to raise the light fixture either way I go on this issue.

 

[dutchy]

Hard to say if distance between lights and substrate is not mentioned . If one bulb with reflector is not enough, two bulbs without reflector might be a good way to increase light a bit if that is what you want.

 

[feh]

Well I was planning to lift it off the top of the tank. Right now I'm running 1 bulb directly on top of the tank with a reflector at around 20" from the substrate. Now that I think about it I won't get the spread I'm looking for without the reflectors most likely. So I'm guessing I'm going to have to raise the fixture 12 inches or so and use the reflectors which should put things around where they should be with 2 bulbs.

 

[feh]

I've decided I'm going to go with the Eheim 1260 for my return and I'm still looking at power heads. As much as I like the capabilities of the Vortech MP40 I'm not sure if I want it on the side glass. I've not been able to find info on whether these can be angled like other powerheads. I do understand they have a much wider flow than other powerheads though. If I do go with one I'm thinking I'll place it on the side glass facing the wall. As for rock I'm still looking at sources. I've also decided I'm go for a nice combination of: 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus 1 KZ, and New Generation for the extra PAR.

 

[dutchy]

I wouldn't choose the MP40; it will be to strong for your tank, even on it's lowest setting. You'd better buy an MP10 if glass thickness allows it. Vortechs can not be angled, but there's really no need to. The pull to the powerhead is so strong that there will be good flow everywhere.

 

[feh]

Hehe... I posted this on the wrong thread. Anyway thanks for the Vortech info Dutchy. The glass on the new tank is 5/8th inch thick.