Fixture mounting height?

[kilnakorr]

I'm about to hang my maxspect rx5 over my tank.
BRS has done a nice video on par and height recommendation ()

Now my tank is a not as wide, so following there 12" recommendation, will result in alot of 'overspill'.

Should I just hang it where I find it good to look it, and whole bottom is lit, and simply be aware of hotspots?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Yes! Having light spill out of the tank is just wasted light. And by mounting it lower, you can run it at lower intensity as well.

 

[kilnakorr]

Yes! Having light spill out of the tank is just wasted light. And by mounting it lower, you can run it at lower intensity as well.

I thought so. As long as I'm aware of those 'hotspots' I should be ok.
I'll probably get a par meter in a month or two, so I can get a little more insight in my lighting.
Then again...my corals will tell me their needs regarding the par measurements.

 

[Ron Reefman]

You are 100% correct.

I have a PAR meter and they do come in handy. I've loaned mine out to local club members and only ask for a coral frag as rental fee. ;Hilarious I'd say over all they years I've had it, it's almost paid for itself in coral. But then I got it a long, long time ago in a giant group buy from Apogee where we needed 200 buyers! If I remember right, I think I paid $150 or $175 for it. And all these years later, it still works like new.

 

[kilnakorr]

You are 100% correct.

I have a PAR meter and they do come in handy. I've loaned mine out to local club members and only ask for a coral frag as rental fee. ;Hilarious I'd say over all they years I've had it, it's almost paid for itself in coral. But then I got it a long, long time ago in a giant group buy from Apogee where we needed 200 buyers! If I remember right, I think I paid $150 or $175 for it. And all these years later, it still works like new.

I was thinking same thing. Take a lot of measurements of various light settings and heights on the rock scape, and offer to lend it out to other hobbiest for asmall fee afterwards.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I just pulled my receipt for the Apogee. I bought it in Nov of 2008 for $150. Since then, I kind of hate to admit it, but I've been through a lot of light fixtures. At one point I had 4 tanks and 2 huge sumps with refugiums, so I had a lot of fixtures. Then I did some work for an aquarium led fixture company and had lots of local friends asking me questions about lights and PAR.

But I've been using Reef Breeder Photons V2 and V2+ fixtures for over 5 years now. IMHO they are by far the best value out there. It's a well made and good looking fixture, produces lots of light (excellent PAR) and has the features of a high end fixture at a lower cost.