got a lumenmax 3 WOW!

Mchava

Mchava

Active member
Well I stoped by BCH and I purchased a lumenmax 3 reflector from SLS. It the newest reflector out for DE bulbs its just like the luminarc but smaller and with more bends. I just installed the reflector and tested how much par I was getting at the surface and how well it spreads the light. Well I think these will be realy awsome reflectors. There is no hot spot like the ROIII and the spread is verry good. With a 10k BLV max out put under the bulb is 850 right above the water line. Now as I move the meter out just a 2 " I get 1100 from left to right, now when I move if f-b it dropes to about 845-800 due to the bulb clips bloking the light. Now here was the cool part even though my tank is 25" tall and the bulb is about 10" off the water I still get 200-280. Also at the outer most edge I still get 175-190. Talk about getting an even spread. So far this has only been with a 10k bulb. I will be testing the 14k phoenix and see what they put out. I will aslo post pictures with number later on today.
Mario
 
here is a picture of the light spread
lightspread.jpg
 
Holy crapoly. That looks bright. About how much $$ did they run you?


and it looks like you got alot more rock in your tank since the last time I saw it! Looking good.
 
160 is a little more expensive than others on the market. But I saw a pic of the reflector and it does look mighty impressive. what is the quality of it like vs other brands you have used?
 
ReefGeek has them on sale right now. Yesterday I got a pair of Lumen Max 2 reflectors for $285 out-the-door. The Lumen Max 3's are supposed to be the same price.
 
Are test results out for the lumen max? I dont see any real diff to lumenarc but we wont know till we have test results from Sanjay and last time i checked he said he was alittle busy.
 
He tested the big lumenmax vs the lumenarc and they were basically very, very similar with the lumenmax doing a bit better toward the edges which is predictable b/c it's slightly larger.

The smaller, newer LM2 and 3 will probably get tested when Sanjay gets around to it with the lumenarc minis and the LA mini DE when it comes out.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7493671#post7493671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moonpod
He tested the big lumenmax vs the lumenarc and they were basically very, very similar with the lumenmax doing a bit better toward the edges which is predictable b/c it's slightly larger.

The smaller, newer LM2 and 3 will probably get tested when Sanjay gets around to it with the lumenarc minis and the LA mini DE when it comes out.
Click to expand...
I thought Sanjay stated, in another thread that the lumenarc mini was the same reflector he tested in an earlier test.

Mario, give me a call I got ?s for you!
 
What would you guess is the maximum spread on the reflector? I currently use 2 ROIII's for my 36x48 frag tank. Would one cover a 3 x 3 well enough?

TIA
CAReefer
 
I would say its more like 2.5 x2.5 and still get some good par reading. I do get about 85par at 1.5' from center. I did test a friends 400w 14k AC set up with a luminarc reflector and that is what he is getting at the same distance from the center of the bulb.
 
Mchava, so you are the person that Clint let test the new lumenmax 3.... does your unit look like it is polished out more than the one he has sitting on the counter in BCH or does it look the same ? The one sitting over there looks like a ruff pre-production model to me and I wasn't too impressed. What is your opinion of the build quality of the unit. How is the light spread n your option vs. the older SLS DE pendant ?
 
swellsearcher,
Sunlight Supply does not use mirrored reflective material on any of their reflectors. Their tests have revealed that it does not reduce the reflective capability of the reflector but in fact does a better job at diffusing the light vs. mirrored reflectors, thus reducing hotspots.
 
swellsearcher: yes i am the one that bought the lumenmax reflector and tested it. As far as build quality, it similar to the roIII so they are verry good. I dont remmeber how Clints looked like but I think its the same. Over all light spread its a whole lot more light then the old ROIII. I think the tank looks alot brighter on the side with the LM3 becuase of the larger spread of light. Where as the ROIII have more of a brighter center right under the reflector but drops off verry fast as you move around the unit. I think if you are lighting a smaller tank the ROIII are good but for larger thanks or wider tanks the LM3 are the better choice. I need to repost the first picture of my par readings. I will take some more reading today of both reflectors on using the 14k phoenic bulbs and see what I get.
Mario
 
Cool. I am interested in getting a pair of them but I kinda of wanted to see one in action. I am going to try and get Clint to put one up in the shop. Another question on a different note.... how long are your phoneix bulbs lasting (please give daily photo period as well) ? I love the color and growth but I have heard that you are lucky if you get 6 mos out of them with a 10 hour a day cycle.
 
swellsearcher the pheonix have been running for about 5.5 months. But I am only running them for 5hr a day. But your 6month is about right. I had to replace my older bulbs at about 5.5 becuase they loose thier brightness realy fast. I am still debating on going back with some 10k or keep using the pheonix not sure yet.
Mario
 
Hey Mario, I just ordered mine yesturday. Hopefully they will be here by Friday! This is just one of the many changes that I want to make to the tank. Next will be the WavySea.
 
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