<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>that is if the corals want more light. However, if your precious SPS coral sits between a bright band and a no/low light band (assuming no glittering), then half of you SPS is not doing well...and the other is doing very well. In other words, there is a chance that half the SPS will actually starve. I know this is an extreme example and it rarely happens because....
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Won't happen.. Have you ever had the surface of your tank perfectly calm
ALL the time? I haven't, Not with proper circulation in your tank you won't. Those "glitter" bands you see will move. Show me a tank where they don't move and I will show you a tank with not enough circulation.
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As for the cooling thing...we could try blowing at the the reflector from side, but not at the bulb.
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Why? Blow it at the waters surface and you will get the best cooling results through evaporation. Those running MH's or any high heat lighting in your hood will find this out. The amount of cooling you will get through cooling the reflector is so minimal in comparison to what you get from evaporation it is a waste of time and energy IMO IME. I have tried it. I am running the fans to blow across the H2O and will in any future systems. I recommend it to anyone running MH or experiencing heat problems in a tank.
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Those who actually have experience with MH lighting (incl. HQI) over their reef tanks know that they purchased the lamps and ballasts in an attempt to maximize intensity.
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Yup. As I measure it on my new little light meter my MH produces about 20,000 lux(quick measurement). When I read direct sunlight it hits many, many, many times this amount. I just measured it at 62,000 lux outside with clouds and smog. That is
three times the amount of light outside with clouds than my MH produces at 12" away. Why would you want to diffuse it and make it less than that? The flourescent lamps in my elevator produce 300 lux for a reference point for those who don't have MH or have never ran a MH.
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Making any effort to diffuse that intensity in an effort to get even distrubution of a lower intensity is clearly counterproductive if you intend to keep light-loving corals alive and healthy.
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For those who still want to do this, read my last statement. We are many times BELOW what the sun puts out into the ocean.
WHY???? would you want to diffuse it????? You are putting your corals at risk. In effect you are giving them LESS chance at being healthy.
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Your only recourse should you choose to diffuse your point source lighting (still can't figure out why on earth you'd want to do that in your reef tank) would be to purchase additional lamps and ballasts in an attempt to compensate for the lost intensity -- go nuts if you've got the money to waste.
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I can't understand the point of diffusing something that is supposed to provide point source lighting???? Agree 100% here.
If you want to diffuse your lighting and then compensate with more bulbs or lamps go for it. Most here are trying to save money where they can by DIY'ing the ballasts etc. You are shooting yourself in the foot by reducing what those lights put out with diffusing IMO.
[ 14 February 2002: Message edited by: DJ88 ]</p>