mh orientation

[vypr2002]

hi all. Id like to see your thoguhts on mh placement over a tank.
perpendicular or parallel to the front glass.
what are peoples experiences and reasons for both. I am going to build a new fixture but cannot decide if I want to make a long fixture with vho accomodations and mh parallel or go with mh only and do 2 seperate mh fixtures and make them perpendicular.

[aurorahokie]

I always thought it was:

SE = perpendicular
DE = parallel

But, what do I know? :)

[vypr2002]

but why would it matter? does the se distribute light differently?
and what are the effects of running them parallel if they are supposed to be perp?

[inwall75]

Perpendicular spreads the light amonst the tank. Parallel spreads the light through the front and back glass.

[jdallred]

Dave, I think I remember reading someplace that the difference is not in the bulbs but with the reflectors that are used.

I'll see if I can't find the study that I read.

[Clown-N-Around]

My actual bulbs are perpendicular to the front glass, but that is because the reflectors are setup to spread the light side to side.

[scchase]

With my Luminarc IIIs I dont think it really matters anymore so I would have to say its mostly the reflector.