400w Mh ?

[NewSchool04]

I'm setting up a 180 and thinking about going 400W MH w/ mini Lumenarc reflectors hanging over the tank. No actinic supplement and using Coralvue Electronic ballast.
Do you think this is overkill and what type of light spillage should I expect with these reflectors?

I can't make up my MIND!!!!

 

[hansnfrans]

Do it!! It's amazing the coloration that you can pull out of some acros when you blast 'em (especially the pinks).....and besides, you can always raise 'em higher up if they are too intense.

I use Lumenarc mini's on my 120gal and I cannot say enough good things about these reflectors.

 

[pk1]

I love the lumenarcs, although I have the L3's on my 180. With 400's you can grow most any coral from top to bottom on a 24" tank.

 

[NewSchool04]

what about the light spillage guy's? Not going to have a canopy.

How high do you have yours off the water Pat? I ordered the tank, it's a done deal!!!!!!

Garen, you feeling strong next weekend? Sat?

 

[pk1]

I have the bottom of the reflector about 4" from the top of the tank. I can't comment on light spillage though since mine are the L3's. Congrats on the purchase!

 

[NewSchool04]

PM'd you Pat

 

[pk1]

your mail box is full

 

[AuroraDave]

I just switched to a similar set-up. I used to have three 250's over my 180. Now I have two 400W's in Luminarc reflectors.

Mine are still a little high at 8", but I am slowly lowering. 2 MH are covering the 6' length very well with the L3's. (they arent mini's)
I went with 14,000K and no longer have actinic VHO's over the tank.

I have a piece of acrylic from my old canopy leaning on each L3 and blocking any light spillage for now.

 

[NewSchool04]

Sorry about that Pat, cleared it out.

Do you have bracing on the tank AuroraDave? The 180 is divided into three sections by two braces across the tank (I think), I'm trying to figure out how I can get away with 2 instead of three bulbs.
Do you have any pics of your set up?

 

[pk1]

I had 2 over mine originally and had shaded bands from the bracing-you can see that in this photo from back then

 

[AuroraDave]

The top of my 180 has 2 large openings (14 x22 I think) and a small opening in the middle.

It may be different than yours, since my tank used to have an overflow in the center of the tank so it could be used as a walk-around tank. I cut that overflow out and I mounted an external overflow on the back of the tank.

I have my two MH over the two large openings. They are about 10" from each end of the tank and I think about 10" apart. The L3 have a great spread to them. You're welcome to come out and take a look.

I never had a problem with the acrylic heating up when I had 3 MH's, however it is hard to keep the top acrylic clean and the center MH had some blockage.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Gosh you guys pull wattage like crazy. I'm not too far away either .

 

[hansnfrans]

Hey Pat, next weekend sounds good. Just LMK where we're picking the tank up from and what time and I'll be there .

 

[NewSchool04]

Going with the 400's!!! Done deal

Pm'd you Garen

 

[Rod Buehler]

Pat, good choice! Have you seen the new powder coated lumenarcs?. They are pretty sharp

 

[NewSchool04]

yep Rod, I'm going stealth!!

 

[whiirly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9667364#post9667364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rod Buehler
Pat, good choice! Have you seen the new powder coated lumenarcs?. They are pretty sharp

Hey is there a link to these?

 

[NewSchool04]

Here you go whiirly, scroll down to the bottom.

http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc.htm

I just picked up the stand, man this thing is a beast! I'd post a pic but photobucket seems to be down, it won't upload it?

 

[NewSchool04]

Got it to work!

 

[dohc97]

Pat if you need additional help or someone to ogle i will be available next weekend, saturday after 5 pm and sunday all day.