MH and "the shimmer effect"

[da1jewfish]

I have used a few different bulbs and have yet to see the shimmer. My MH is Mongul based, is that the reason why? I have only seen double ended bulbs and they have the shimmer. I havn't seen any mongul's except mine.

 

[jdieck]

The shimmer also require that you have surface agitation or waves.

 

[bj32482]

surface agitation - and the height of the bulbs determine the shimmer effect

 

[da1jewfish]

interesting... I adjusted the return up for surface agitation and it helped but not as much as I have seen on other tanks or would expect.
IS it the ruffer the better? What's the height recommendation? as far as shimmer only, the lower the better right?

 

[bboshart]

My light is about 10" from the water surface and have a lot of shimmer. I have one powerhead pointed near the surface.

 

[ludnix]

The higher the better for the shimmer, as well as increasing surface agitation.

 

[bj32482]

agreed...higher is better

 

[Peter Eichler]

Also, high kelvin bulbs with less par don't have the shimmer nearly as much high par lower kelvin bulbs.