Lighting shadow problem ;)

[typemismatch]

Hi!

I have a 65G which has a support bar across the middle and because I have a 1x 250W HQI I am getting a nasty shadow in the middle of the tank.

I was thinking of dumping the HQI - heard something about T5s? being good.

My question is - if I put a lighting unit on each side of the support bar, I assume the shadow will go away...?

thanks!
Craig

[Fly Guy]

There will always be some kind of shadow as a result of that crossbar....if you spread your lighting out more it CAN be nearly eliminated how you describe......another idea is to simply put either a mountain of rock or a valley in the center of the tank (or wherever your crossbar(s) are) and you can make it nearly unnoticable and you can simply put corals with lower light requirements in the valley or mountain

[typemismatch]

Do all the bigger tanks have these cross bars? Tanks are generally cheap, maybe I should get one without the stupid thing and maybe I'll pay more freaking attention when buying it this time

-c

[Mike01z]

they all have it, its needed for stability believe it or not.

[boshoss]

Originally Posted by typemismatch

...
My question is - if I put a lighting unit on each side of the support bar, I assume the shadow will go away...?

thanks!
Craig

yes.

you canalso (if feeling up to it) I have had luck "eurobracing" a 65g to eliminate the shadow, but i then had to clean salt creep off the glass.
either way, lighting a 3ft tank with a single bulb is tricky.

[mg]

You can also cut out the center brace and replace it with acrylic. This will just about eliminate the shadow since light will pass through it. You just cut the brace about an inch or 2 in from the edge, put a piece of acrylic over it and drill a hole through the 2. Use nylon bolts to attach them together.

[is_that_a_fish]

or you could have one halide on each side of the tank, you could grow almost anything and the shadow will be eliminated

[three90s&125sump]

Originally Posted by mg

You can also cut out the center brace and replace it with acrylic. This will just about eliminate the shadow since light will pass through it. You just cut the brace about an inch or 2 in from the edge, put a piece of acrylic over it and drill a hole through the 2. Use nylon bolts to attach them together.

Thats the cheap trick.

[three90s&125sump]

Originally Posted by is_that_a_fish

or you could have one halide on each side of the tank, you could grow almost anything and the shadow will be eliminated

This is the not so cheap trick.

[Fly Guy]

What are the dimensions of that 65 gallon tank?? if its a 4 foot tank the "not so cheap" option might really be in your best interest anyway if you are keeping any stuff with high lighting needs......

[three90s&125sump]

I think it is a 65 tall... 36inches long. I would do the not so cheap option personally.