Is Light Placement Important For Growth?

Biulu · Aug 28, 2007

Hi!

I just got myself 2 T8 Dennerle Kongo-White 15 W and 2 T5 JBL solar ultra natur 24 W with reflectors for my 1 metre bowfront tank. Unfortunately I was not able to bring 90 mms as they would certainly have been confiscated trying to board an airplaine with these as handluggage!

Anyway, now these need to be installed in the hood, but I need some advice on their placement. I have been told that the Dennerle lamps should go in the back, as these are to stimulate plant growth. What do i need to take into account? Any minimum distance from the back? What about the distance between the T8 and the T5? Is this dependent upon the reflector size? Should they go in the front as far as possible?

What about installing cold cathode moonlights for a phasing in phasing out effect? Or should I simply put on the plant lamps first, and later the blueish ones?

As you can see, any info on this lamp topic is appreciated!

Thanks for your help!

Themuleous · Aug 28, 2007

I would just alternate them, so one Dennerle then a JBL, the a Dennerle then the final JBL.

Sam

nry · Aug 28, 2007

Also consider the fish colours - I had a single tube towards the back and it didn't show the fish colours as well as when I moved it further forward. The best colours from the fish are when the tube is directly over the fish or perhaps in front of it (i.e. towards the front of the tank).

I would put one tube towards the back of the tank, one in the middle and one towards the front of the tank.

Biulu · Aug 28, 2007

Thanks for the replies!
Yeah, the blue ones (JBL full spectrum, 9000 K) are to bring out the fish colours, and was advised to put them more towards the front. I had been thinking though to put the 2 T8s next to each other as to cover the whole length of the tank.

The T5s have to be in front of each other, as they are too long.

From both of you I understand that it is not that important how far you stay away from the back or the front of the tank. Maybe I should simply try to divide the tubes evenly over the available space?