Wow

[Texreefer]

I keep my 400 watters about 18 inches above the tank and that is where my VHO's have been as well just out of convenience(never could spell that word). Well, I finally got off my Duff and devised a way to lower them to around 4 inches off the water. I cannot beleive the difference in just two days. The colors are just popping!@!!!!!!!!!..
I Know, I know,, how can i post this and not post pics, but it is well documented by me that i have neither the camera or the talent to take a good pic, anyone with a good camera is welcome to come by the house and stand up and testify to the power of par baby!!

[urban79]

Your VHO or MH?

[erikharrison]

I have been wondering about the effect of PAR ratings through that dull space of air between the light and water. I guess going from 18" to 4" would be of great difference as is though!

[BIGBIRD123]

Mike you still want that Miami Orchid? If not, LMK.

Steve

[apedroza]

Let's see some pics!!!!

[Texreefer]

the MH stayed at 18" just the VHO moved down

[ou812pezz]

Funny you should mention this. When I stopped by to pick up the cap and you mentioned lowering the lights made the colors pop but you had problems with the heat. On my way home, I thought if you made a motorized light rack(pulleys and a slow motor to wind and unwind a cable) that would lower and raise on a timer that would solve your heat problem. I'd be interested on how you finally went about it.

[Texreefer]

I used highly advanced technology............bungy cords

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Need to see pix, so my husband can do that with his.

cheri

[Richard]

I have been wondering about the effect of PAR ratings through that dull space of air between the light and water. I guess going from 18" to 4" would be of great difference as is though!

No need to wonder about it. Physics has already figured it out. It's called the inverse square law. A simple way to look at it for what we care about is...

(far distance/near distance) squared = brightness

So for Mike... (18 / 4) squared = 20.25. So by lowering the lights to 4 inches from 18 you increased the light intensity at the water surface by 20.25 times.