Experience help needed for reflector change..

Doubledown

Doubledown

Active member
I am thinking about changing my lighting from 250 HQI to either 250 or 400 watt electronic and I am researching new reflectors.

I think I want to go with the Lumenarc Mini, but just saw that the LumenBrights have a mini version now as well. Does anyone have any experience with the new LB Minis compared to the Lumenarc Minis?

Here's a few links to what I am asking about:

LumenBright Mini (scroll down about half the page)

Lumenarc Mini (scroll down about half the page)


I could save about $250 and go with standard batwing reflectors I suppose. Are these reflectors (either the LA or the LB) that much better?

Thanks

Chris
 
I have 3 luminarcs minis and 250 HQI ballest running SE bulbs and am very happy with it
Your wlcome to stop by and take a look
 
I am in the process of swapping out some of my lumenarcs for lumenbrights. In some/many applications I think the lumenarcs will give a better spread, but in othyer applications I prefer the lumenbrights.

Are you planning to put them in a canop? If so, how tall is the canopy.

Either one (brights/arcs) will blow the bat wings away
 
Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

Right now I have both in my tank. Not for long though.

The aqnswer is real simple. If you have a lot of height and can raise up the Lumenbrights pretty high then you will be fine. If you do not have a lot of height then use the Luminarc's

I do not have the height needed so I am changing them..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11853568#post11853568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doubledown
I am thinking about changing my lighting from 250 HQI to either 250 or 400 watt electronic and I am researching new reflectors.

I think I want to go with the Lumenarc Mini, but just saw that the LumenBrights have a mini version now as well. Does anyone have any experience with the new LB Minis compared to the Lumenarc Minis?

Here's a few links to what I am asking about:

LumenBright Mini (scroll down about half the page)

Lumenarc Mini (scroll down about half the page)


I could save about $250 and go with standard batwing reflectors I suppose. Are these reflectors (either the LA or the LB) that much better?

Thanks

Chris
Click to expand...
 
Before I give my opinion, are you still thinking about the tank upgrade? I would definitely buy something you can use on the next tank if this is the case.
 
Re: Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

Re: Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11855820#post11855820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by canar
Right now I have both in my tank. Not for long though.

The aqnswer is real simple. If you have a lot of height and can raise up the Lumenbrights pretty high then you will be fine. If you do not have a lot of height then use the Luminarc's

I do not have the height needed so I am changing them..
Click to expand...

I was following another thread about the comparisons between the two and it was a general consensus that the LBs are more spotlight-like with a higher PAR in the center of the spread with a major drop off around the perimeter, vs the LA which has a more even and gradual spread/drop-off. Since you have both, do you agree with that assessment? How high would you need to place the LBs to get enough spread?
 
Re: Re: Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

Re: Re: Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11856743#post11856743 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BrandesFam
I was following another thread about the comparisons between the two and it was a general consensus that the LBs are more spotlight-like with a higher PAR in the center of the spread with a major drop off around the perimeter, vs the LA which has a more even and gradual spread/drop-off. Since you have both, do you agree with that assessment? How high would you need to place the LBs to get enough spread?
Click to expand...

Yes that is 100% correct. My canopy is not high enough to answer that question :D
 
lol. Ok, how high were you able to get them? I know, it depends what they were smokin! ;) Ba-da-bum.
At least we'll have a starting place for a reference!
 
Re: Experience help needed for reflector change..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11853568#post11853568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doubledown

I could save about $250 and go with standard batwing reflectors I suppose. Are these reflectors (either the LA or the LB) that much better?
Click to expand...

Chris, Stop by my place and see for yourself.
 
I'm a huge fan of my mini lumenarcs. There is no comparison with my old Reef Optix 3 pendant, it is that much better.

I run 3 400W 12K Reeflux bulbs on a Coralvue E ballast. Happy with all of those also.

Good luck with your shopping!
 
Thank you all for your answers and help.

They will eventually go in a canopy, so it looks like the LB minis will be the way to go. I also like the VHO actinics so the smaller size is going to be required.


Aquaticman74 - the new tank is getting pushed back (not sure when it will happen really) so they will be used on a 6 foot 180 gallon.
 
I'm a Lumenarc fan :), but they do spill a ton of light out the front of the tank.

On a side note.... I need to stop over there and grab a couple goodies. ;)
 
Chris I have the LumenBright mini's on my 210 and love the way they look. As mentioned they do need to be mounted higher than the Lumenarc mini's.
 
I ordered the lumenarc mini based on seeing Pat's setup. I have seen lumenbrights and it seems that they would need to be higher than im willing to go right now. Ill be running a 175 watt iwasaki 15k bulb in the lumenarc mini powered by some sort of electronic ballast(havent decided yet).
 
To put it in perspective my canopy is 20" high from the water level. If you ask me that is a pretty high canopy. I can't get the lumenbrights even close to high enough to not have an obvious circle of light. There is a huge drop off of light next to the Lumenbrights. They are definately brighter in the circle of light. The rest of the reflectors are Luminarcs and that whole portion of the tank looks evenly lit with no drop off's.

Iam about to trade the 2 Lumenbrights for Luminarc's. I am waiting to be contacted back on when he is coming. If anyone would like to see the 2 next to each other and want to head to Yorkville go for it. I will be here most the weekend.

Ted
 
Just an FYI. My Lumenbrights are now gone. I traded with schmoeger6 for the Luminarc mini's this AM. My small piece of the ocean is in balance again and I am verry happy.

Ted
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11858187#post11858187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewSchool04
I think you'll be more than happy with the reflectors. What have you decided on the ballast and wattage?
Click to expand...

That, too, is still open. I've seen some beautiful tanks with 250s and some others at 400.

I have the SLS 250W HQI ballasts now that have been excellent, but I would like to try single ended bulbs. Maybe I will get the new pendants and bulbs and run them off the HQI ballasts. It might be worthwhile to see what an XM 20K or Ushio 20K looks like when overdriven. Not sure.

I have read of several people running the 400W Coralvue electronic with Reeflux bulbs (you, evolley and the previous TOTM are examples) and have heard few complaints. I have also seen people have great success with the 250 watt version as well as using the Icecap 250 electronic.

Know anyone looking for 250W HQI retro kits - I may have 3 for sale soon?
 
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