If you run MHs with VHO actinics, please read.

[tangman99]

I am putting 2 MH bulbs with spider reflectors in my new hood. I will also be adding 2 VHO actinics. The spider reflectors are pretty big and I'm afraid if I mount the VHO lights to the top of the hood, they will be to high up in the canopy and will be shaded by the reflectors.

For those that have this setup, do you mount your VHO light directy to the top of the hood or did you lower them down somehow to be level with the MHs or the bottom of the spider ballast.

I think I'm worrying about this too much . . .

 

[surfnvb7]

i use this long reflector, that has special cut outs for the VHO's to fit. works out pretty good IMO http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF2637&ast=&key=

 

[jimbo045]

In VHOs, I use one actinic and one 50/50 with a couple MHs. JD

 

[dippin61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7042692#post7042692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimbo045
In VHOs, I use one actinic and one 50/50 with a couple MHs. JD

um.. what that have to do with the OP

yeh.. those pfo reflectors are nice.

 

[tom obrecht]

Give us abit more info on your hood setup. Yes you will want to mount them as clos to the water level as you can so as to get as much light penetration as possible. In my set up I mounted a wood brace across the hood about 3" above the water level and then mounted the VHO's onto that.

 

[Safir]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7042291#post7042291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by surfnvb7
i use this long reflector, that has special cut outs for the VHO's to fit. works out pretty good IMO http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF2637&ast=&key=

what are teh actual physical dimensions of this reflector, and would it be compatible with T5's instead of VHO's? i don't know how the mounting points differ.

 

[tangman99]

Well my hood is 14 inches high. The VHO bulb would then be about 12 inches off the water considering the height of the mounts and the bulb itself. If I were running only VHO, I know that would be too high but I am just using them to complement the VHO to give it a little blue. I just dont want them hanging down in the way if it is not necessary.

I did build a brace to lower the rear one the same height as the MH bulb as it is in the rear.

 

[aquadog]

You will be losing the benefit of your VHO's if you do not lower them. I do not know your set up but if you mount the VHO's to a piece of wood the lenght of the VHO fixture you can then lower the each VHO unit with chain to the height just at or below your MH reflectors. This way there will be no blocking at all. I hope this is helpful.
Good luck.

 

[tom obrecht]

If you are using the VHO's for visual effect only you might be ok, but I would still going lower than 12". If you want the VHO's to help penetrate your corals you will need them just above the waters surface.