Just bought some used MH stuff. Does it matter if I use different reflectors?

[DavidinGA]

I got a good deal on a 3 MH's but one of the lot has a different reflector and ballast. I can probably live with the ballast being different, but should I "upgrade" the Sunlight Supply Lumen Max to a Lumen Bright Mini so I would then have 3 mini's or am I overly concerned for nothing?


If I keep the 3 would it be best to put the lumen max in the center and the mini's on the end or what?

My tank is a 6ftx2x30" 210gal.

These are 250w electronic ballasts (2 coralvue and one galaxy) and 20k reeflux bulbs.


Thanks

 

[DavidinGA]

Pics

 

[d2mini]

Up to you.
I'd put it in the middle and see what you think.

 

[DavidinGA]

Up to you.
I'd put it in the middle and see what you think.

From a standpoint of par the mini's are much better, right?

I guess I was wondering more about losing par from the lumen max reflector...

 

[d2mini]

See if you can borrow a par meter from someone.
It'll be the only way to really tell.

 

[Bpb]

From a standpoint of par the mini's are much better, right?

I guess I was wondering more about losing par from the lumen max reflector...

No. From a standpoint of par, the lumenbrights will focus more light in a tight cone. The sunlight supply reflector will spread it out in more of a diffuse even manner. I'd keep them and run the sunlight supply unit in the middle which will visually even out the hot spots. The Lumenbright isn't better, just different.

 

[DavidinGA]

No. From a standpoint of par, the lumenbrights will focus more light in a tight cone. The sunlight supply reflector will spread it out in more of a diffuse even manner. I'd keep them and run the sunlight supply unit in the middle which will visually even out the hot spots. The Lumenbright isn't better, just different.

OK.

I would think the lumen max would need to be mounted much lower for the same level of power deeper down than the minis though, right? So should I mount the minis a few inches higher and the max down ich closer to the water line?

My other reason for wanting the minis was the idea that they allowed mounting much higher above the water line and that would help/eliminate water temp problems.

 

[Bpb]

Were it me I would mount to where the bases were even.

 

[DavidinGA]

With this setup would you suggest T5's or led to supplement and/or run for tank viewing when the mh lights are off? My plan is to run the mh 6-7 hours and supplement with led or t5 for 3-4 hours.

 

[d2mini]

With this setup would you suggest T5's or led to supplement and/or run for tank viewing when the mh lights are off? My plan is to run the mh 6-7 hours and supplement with led or t5 for 3-4 hours.

Depends if you like T5 or led better.

 

[DavidinGA]

Which would be cheaper? Probably T5's, huh?