Changing lighting setup, all Lumenarc users please chime in.

[SunnyX]

Well I have decided to change my lighting setup,
The reason I have decided to change them is the fact that my tank is 3ft wide and the Reef Optix III's does not have much spread.

My tank is 60" Long x 36" Wide x 24" high.
For lighting I currently run:

Three 250 watt Metal Halide housed in Reef Optix III+
All Pheonix 14k's DE bulbs.
Two MH run on Hellolights.com Electronic Ballasts
One run on SunLight Supply Magnetic HQI.

Two 160 watt VHO's on Electronic Ballasts.

I was thinking of going with three Lumenarc III reflectors with 250Watt MH's.
I have yet to decide on the bulbs, I may go with XM 10K or the new Reeflux.

Here is the main question, should I be going with two or three Lumenarcs?
Also will they provided enough coverage for the 3ft width?
It doesn't have to cover 36", at least 28" to 30".

 

[causeofhim]

The reflectors are almost 24". So three would not fit over a 60" tank. Most people dont have corals up to their glass so, you probably wont need 36" of actual light. Sanjay's site has links to his articles on reflectors and can specifically show what the spread is on different reflectors.

 

[SunnyX]

According to the site the reflectors are 19.5ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ x 19.5ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ x 8.5ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ tall.
It would be a tight fit.
My corals are not up to the tank walls anyway, there is good space between the glass and corals.

Heres a pic for reference-

 

[AlgaeMan]

Each lumicarc is 19.5 x 19.5 If this was my tank I would definately go with 3 of them. I would use 2 400w 20k's on the ends with a 250w 10k reeflux in the middle.

 

[boofer]

The mini would be a better choice IMO. They would give you more room (14.5x14.5x6.5), they also have the same spread as the LA3(according to PGS).

 

[xabo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6650543#post6650543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boofer
The mini would be a better choice IMO. They would give you more room (14.5x14.5x6.5), they also have the same spread as the LA3(according to PGS).

I agree as that's what I'm using on my 210.

 

[SunnyX]

How could a reflector that is smaller produce more spread?

Mounting the LM3's are not a problem because I have no canopy and the lights will be suspended, so room wont be a problem either.

 

[SunnyX]

I could use LM3's for the sides, and a mini in the middle.
That option might be better.
Need to go find a buyer for the current lighting.

 

[gotfish8]

If you are interested in trading I have 3 brand new 400w
E-ballasts and 3 lumenarc's Pm me if you are interested

 

[SunnyX]

Are the sockets included when I purchase the LM3 from Pacificgardensupply.com ?

I sold my current lighting system within an hour
So here is what I have decided for with lighting-

As i have stated before, my tank is only 5 ft long,
so I may take a crack at using
2x LM3's
2x ARO Pro Series 250 ballast(M58 Probe Start)www.Hellolights.com
2x XM10k bulbs(only $20 with purchase of ballast listed above)
Plus 10% off for ordering the lights and ballast from www.Hellolights.com

I will add that to my current 2x 140watt VHO's.

What do you guys think?

 

[merlock116]

2 reflectors will work great. they have incredible spread.

in sanjay's testing, the greatest benefits of the lumenarcs is the very little par lost from raising the pendants above the water level. it's near the bottom of the article. thus you could raise them higher and not heat up your water while still getting almost all the par.

 

[merlock116]

from article: "This means that the Diamond Light reflector loses the least amount of light as one moves farther away from it."

check out table 3 near the bottom

click me

 

[easttn]

Sunny,

Look here, search Diamond Grow Light Hood. I bought 3 for less than the price of 1 new. They come with the mounting bracket, only issue is the power cord is cut. Select your reflectors so they all end about the same time, they will ship multiples in one box. Its from the cops so you won't get ripped off.

All of mine have very minor scratches but well worth the savings. Drug dealers are worth something afterall. Uhhh, if you do grow your own don't buy here.

 

[SunnyX]

Thanks for the links guys!

I really didnt want the 10K XM's, but for $18 each they cant be beat!!
Ballast looks ok?

 

[want2reef]

Sunnyx

So your going to the darkside? DE to SE.

 

[causeofhim]

Why dont you want the 10k XMs?

 

[mntl]

The minis easily cover a 2'+ square so the full size should be no problem, I would use 3 not 2 everytime I go lower than what I think I always regret it in this hobby. When you get the light have them wire them all with their wires and plugs (pigtail set), they are the cleanest/best-wire/plug set I have seen (white wires, great clipping plugs, and tons of extra wire). Also I bought the glass shield but do not use it and if done again I would have just saved the money and not got them.

just my .02c

---John

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6653052#post6653052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by causeofhim
Why don't you want the 10k XMs?

They were "OK" when I had them on my old 120gl. They were run on electronic ballast, so hopefully they wont have the "PEE WATER" color on the Hellolights M58 ballasts.

But the PAR ratings are amazing on them.
Hopefully the two Lumenarcs will provide enough coverage.

 

[mntl]

I just got ahold of one of the Iwasaki aqua2 14k's, it is extremely bright and it is white with just a hint of blue to make it not look yellow, one of the most crisp bulbs I have seen and it is insanley bright for it's wattage. Worth looking into if you want a crisp white that has great par.

--John

 

[SunnyX]

I Figure 2 lumenarcs will be enough because I have 6 inches of unused space on each side of the tank. So its almost as if i was lighting a 4ft tank.