[scubadude]

I love these lights....Thanx everyone for helping me with them....especially LTSPD and Ninong!!

I have 3 250w HQI Double Ended bulbs in a hood with a DIY reflector made from a storm panel (aluminum) and aluminum flashing all bent and cut to my specifications The reflector is 54" x 16" and there is a 1/4" piece of standard tempered glass about 2" underneath the reflector The glass is 56" x 22" and cost me about $40 the bulbs are about 4" away from the glass, and the glass is about 5" away from the water line. The hood is NOT totally enclosed for ventilation purposes. Please note that Im still in the "Trial" phases on this lighting system and am open to critique and opinions. Heres some pics.

[db]

Wouldn't you get better light distribution if you set up your lights perpendicular to the tank front? I know reflector design would be a lot more hassle that way but I was under the impression that especially with HQIs the light spread favors perpendicular mounting.
You are also losing a LOT of light out the sides of that hood or so it seems to my eye. Might help to try to get your reflector to aim more light downward.


I'm currently trying to setup a 280 custom tank and I plan on running a 250 HQI 10K on each end and my 400W 6500K Iwasaki in the center; and I'll use the 400 for a few hours to simulate mid-day peak sunlight. Anyway, your DIY results are very interesting to me as I'm planning on assembling my own setup as well. What ballasts are you running by the way?

[scubadude]

I thought about setting the lights up perpendicular....but there where a few issues that I didnt want to deal with....the biggest one was the reflector....as these lights need special attention IMO to the reflector build and spread to my desires.

You are also losing a LOT of light out the sides of that hood or so it seems to my eye. Might help to try to get your reflector to aim more light downward.

It may seem that way but it really isnt that way at all....you cant see but the bottom .5" of the reflector has been bent to maintain the tank perimeter area for lighting....These lights are just flat out INTENSE!

I think I will eventually do something like you are talking about ...only run the middle bulb for a few hrs of the middle of the day. Here is a direct link to the ballast im using

Lampsnow.Com Ballast

[JerryReef]

It would be a pain in the neck to run those lights perpendicular, especially with the protective glass issue.

IMO, it shouldn’t make that much of a difference running them the length of the tank; as even the Giesemann and Aqualine run them length wise, the way u have them now.

If the light is in fact spreading out too far to the front and back, can't really notice, but, just lessen the width of the light opening.

I was chatting with the guys back at Reef Central and I may decide to go with the double-ended HQI(s) and the 400watt 20000K Osram Radiums, as my order for the 250w 10000K(s) have been shipped.

Not certain how I am going to setup the lights yet due to the uv glass covers. If I combine the two I may have to go with the short glass cover technique, as the Raidums don't need the protective covering.

Which would be the recommended ballast the blueline or the PFO? My tank is 72" x 24' x 24"

Thanks
Jerry

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Don't know what I got myself into, but I am on my way.......

[dattack]

You are one brave soul scubadude. Did I see your tank placed on a nice green carpet? I had to move my 45 gallon corner because too many saltwater changes kinda routine the rug in the living room.