max light spread with 250 /400

[dblyelo]

I have a 400 watt ice cap pendant my tank depth is only 24''in depth how high from the water line would it have to be to get 36'' width of coverage at the waterline , if possible. i have some corals 6-8'' from the top near the ends of the 36''wide tank.

I hope your anwser isnt buy another light since this is all i have to work with for the monent, also is the hamilton 400 watt 15k hqi a compatable bulb since i have 2 new ones ?

thanks

[IceCap Service]

There is no real way to give you the exact height to place it for your desired coverage. You can try by starting at 6 inches above the water line and see if it provides adequate coverage. If not then adjust it upwards until it does. You should have no problem getting 36 inches of coverage.
The 400MH ballast will run the Hamilton lamps with no problems.

[dblyelo]

thanks, i thought it was wishful thinking that it would cover. i guess once in a while things work out ;)

[dblyelo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12496563#post12496563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dblyelo
thanks, i thought it was wishful thinking that it would cover. i guess once in a while things work out ;)

maybe a dumb question but it seems with the reflector design you get the wider spread from the narrow dimension. is that the way i should position it or is it deceiving me ? is that wider light spreadfrom the narrow direction useless light i guess what i mean would it have far less penetration than the outer spead of the lond dimension of the fixture ?

thanks

[dblyelo]

ttt

[gene@icecap]

In reading your additional question, I think you are asking if you turn the fixture so the reflector would be in the perpendicular position would the beam spread be wider. The answer to that question is yes it would be.

Adjusting the height of the pendant though is the most effective way to verify you maximize use of light.

[dblyelo]

that question was more for another set up . a 135gallon that i am building a canopy with a light mover with 2 x 400 watt. they will only be moving about 18'' each but it will be better distribution. thanks