Bell shaped MH pendants

[Shiftaltumlock]

I just purchased a 65 gal tank that is 36 long. Will a 250 watt bell cover this ok. I have not seen what the lighting patern is for this type of pendant aan was concerned it my be more like a spot light than a light that would cover the whole tank. I have room to suspend the light about 24" above the tank.

[cpr4cpu]

the bell, suspended 12 inches over yout tank will cover about half the tank, and the edges will be very shadowy.

I think you should consider 2 pendants with lower wattage (175 or smaller)

I have a 125 and I space the pendants about 2 feet apart and there are some spotlight areas directly under the bulbs and some dark and mysterious areas around the edges (where the anudias and jave ferns are)

[125gJoe]

I also think 2 pendants would be better...

cpr4cpu, can you post some pics of your tank with those MH lights on?? I'd really like to see the look ....

[cpr4cpu]

80gJoe, I can't say that I wouldn't like to show off my tanks, but I can't do it. Partly hardware problems, mostly furniture contruction problems. I tore them down to move them and haven't finished the furniture arranging, stand construction, etc.

I am at least 6 weeks away from getting to that point, but I will at some point show off all the work on my personal site, so feel free to visit there...

[Shiftaltumlock]

CPR4 or anyone else:

What if I moved the pendant higher above the tank. Say 24". Would I lose too much intensity doing that? I dont have the cash for 2 pendants.

[cpr4cpu]

no, the MH will penetrate the water fairly well. You will ose some intensity the farther away the bulb is, but at 24" the evaporation water won't build up as much scale on the pendant lens so the trade-off isn't bad at all. If you can't afford two, get one and play with it. Red plats will grow directly under the bulb, java moss and anubias will grow fine at the edges where the intensity isn't as high. It will make for a beautiful tank, you just need to try a few different heights and positions until you get the look you're after.

Just to get a rough idea, I held the bell at 24" from the tank, and the circle of light expanded nicely, and looked good. I will probably hang mine about 20 inches above the water when I can finally afford to finish the rebuild of the tank