What would you do

[bucksfan1976]

I have 2 of the photon 16s over my 125 long (5 ft) my problem is the following

1. Shadow effect in the middle
2. Not wanting to buy another fixture and have 3 hanging
3. I can get some halides but wont they still have the shadow effect?

Possible fixes?

1. I can switch to 2 hanging 250 watt Halides, however will have no t5s (no cost to me just trade of of my fixtures for the pendents and ballasts)
2. I have heard it is possible to remove the optics on the Photons. I could remove the outer optics , i believe this switches it to a 120 degree optic and would provide more spread
3. Buy t5 Retro kit and put 2 48 inch t5s and build a floating canopy
4. Sell them both and get something larger.

Any input would help thanks

 

[AZDesertRat]

I am surprised by the shadow. I have two AI Sol Blues turned parallel and 12" over a 5' long 100G with no dark spots or shadows apparent and they have the stock optics.

 

[mykidsclownfish]

can you lower them some and move both closer to the center just a bit?

 

[bucksfan1976]

I am surprised by the shadow. I have two AI Sol Blues turned parallel and 12" over a 5' long 100G with no dark spots or shadows apparent and they have the stock optics.

Yea thats what confusing, I think the photons have 90s on them thats what I was wondering about the removing of the outer optics if that would help with spread.

 

[bucksfan1976]

can you lower them some and move both closer to the center just a bit?

Lowering them causes it to be worse. I think part of the problem is my tank has 2 center braces aprox 12 inches apart. Im not looking for a full fix just to brighten it up. Thats why I was thinking of doing the halide fixtures since they have the ability to spread more.

 

[bucksfan1976]

There is a local guy with a custom acrylic canopy, has 2 400 watt halides and 2 54 watt T5s and LED moon lights, I can hang it about 18 inches off my tank should get good spread. I know its a little more light then actually needed however I will only run halides for aprox 6 hours max and with them hanging so high i dont have to worry about tempature plus I can adjust it , with it being acrylic its lighter.

 

[bucksfan1976]

Removed the optics per recommendation from Logan it's a lot better still can see the shading from the supports but ill replace them with acrylic clear ones

Kinda glad I did this a acro colony got completely bleached in the last 24 hours so not even at 100% they are strong