how much more light will i actually be getting into my tank?

[Lunchbucket]

i have a 55gal w/ 2 48" 110w VHO's and 2 40w 6500K NO flours. i have them mounted w/ bulb clips on the top of the canopy. the 2 NO's have internal reflectors but the vho's do not. the inside of my canopy is painted black...didn't think much about reflection when i built my canopy

i have a couple of white metal reflectors that i could put on the 2 vho's. i would leave the NO's because they have internals. the lights are about 9" away from the water.

so my ? is would i actually gain that much more light into the tank if i put the 2 reflectors on there? it is gonna be a pain taking the lights off, unwireing, mounting reflectors, mount bulbs, make sure they aren't in the way, rewire...all that bs. would it be worth it??

thanks
Lunchbucket

 

[Grumpy Vet]

I hear you LB.......gonna suck to take em off....but I say yepperdoodles.......pull it.....and put the reflectors in if you have them....

While it will be a pain in the touche'....you know you love goofin' w/ the tank..... Go for it...


GV

 

[Lunchbucket]

don't know if i love messing w/ it that much. i just don't want to take the time and trouble.

will it make a difference? my corals are doing fine now. would the do better?

later
Lunchbucket

 

[Grumpy Vet]

I can make up a bunch of crap about the absorption rate of the spectrum of the VHO bulbs bleeding into your black ( light absorbing color) canopy and not providing beneficial spectral nutrients via luminescence to your tank......but I know someone on this board will call my bluff...

How much light is wasted via no internal reflector and no reflector above???

I have no real knowledge.....my guess? To a black hood - 25-30 percent of the candle power, lumens, luminosity, spectral intensity is being pissed away......

It is a guess....only a guess.....I'd say put it in.....you made the post....you are thinking about it.....won't take long......can't hurt.....

Nike: Just do it.

GV

 

[Lunchbucket]

yeah yeah yeah....when i get time. don't think that will be till next week of so. hopefully sooner.

thanks
Lunchbucket

 

[Lunchbucket]

ok, i broke down and did it last night. what a pain...oh well all for the better. i think it is a little brighter in there.

thanks
Lunchbucket