Show me your 3' tanks lit by 2' t5s please.

[Nerdy Nudi]

I have been debating putting a shorter light on my 3' build.

reasons:
- greater range in brightness
- dimmer areas for lower light critters
- light source smaller = maybe some shimmer???
- less glare for nearby seating area
- save money :D

Pictures and thoughts are welcome!

[lordofthereef]

I can tell you that it won't provide shimmer as shimmer comes from a point source of light and not really the fact that it is smaller.

[Nerdy Nudi]

a point source is a "smaller" light source :D

take any light and move it higher and you will get some sort of shimmer. even my 65w pc. as the light moves farther away it gets "smaller" and creates shimmer.

the distance, size, surface agitation (water motion), and intensity of the light will dictate the amount and look of shimmer.

a 2' bank of t5's over a larger aquarium at a certain height can mimic a halide housed in a large reflector. try it!

[nikon187]

your plan should work fine. I have a 4 foot fixture over my five foot tank. It isn't really that much darker on the sides at 5" off the water

[Nerdy Nudi]

anyone have any links to tanks lit this way?