Lighting a 36x36x24 SPS tank?

Take a look at the new Lumenmax, a little more pricey than the lumenarc but nicer looking, if that matters to you.
 
I really like my 2 x 250 [2x96 vho act] on my 36 x 18 ... if I were to go to 36" front-back I'd probably suppliment with some T-5 in front/back, keep a pair of Halides [like on LA reflectors, as above ... perhaps the minis].

With 2 MH, everything between them is colored everywhere ... IMO you'll likely want to use something to keep the front/back from being much dimmer - given the success I've seen with T-5's - I'd argue for mixing a couple of those in, keep the power bill down.

When I dream of my 36 x 24/30 [vs the 48 x 24] ... I keep my 2 250's, keep the VHO actinic, and add 2 or 4 T-5's. Keep the heat/Halide running time down, just about perfect coverage.
 
I will have a 400W in an orignial SLS Lumenmax reflector over my 4x40x30 Cube, the lumenmax was designed for 4x4 coverage...
 
I was thinking of using a Lumenarc reflector with a 400w Halide as well as 4 to 6 T5's. My biggest concern is making sure I provide enough light intensity thru out the aquarium. What version of the Lumenarc reflector should I use? What bulb/ballast combination would be best?

Chris
 
In my system, I run a single halide, and I get shadows like crazy. Most of my pieces are shaded entirely on one side... which causes problems when the growth starts.

Personally, I'd reccommend 2-250w halides, with some luminarc reflectors.

-E.
 
It would be really cool looking if you did 2 250s angled at about 15degrees ( \ / ) so you can really mimick the suns path.
 
I'm expecting similar problems on my 36Lx24Wx18H when I move over my 250w Lumenarc3 Mini. I've been having shade problems with my acros on the 20L, so once I've got things established I plan on adding a second 250W L3Mini to the rig.

I'd like to point out that at 19" square, two regular L3s won't fit but the Mini would do with room to spare. The new LumenMax 2 and 3 from SLS are also a good option and come with a powder coated housing and a slightly higher price point.
 
I have a 36X30 thats lit with 1 Luminarc Mini and a 400...It lights it very well....no shadows at all.
 
i don't have it up yet, but i got 4x175w iwasaki14s to run in 4 luminarc minis over a 36x36x20. wish i could have gone 250s so i could go with a slightly bluer bulb, but i'm already pushing the circuit i think and don't have an easy way to deal with heat if it's a problem.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7414123#post7414123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ewan
In my system, I run a single halide, and I get shadows like crazy. Most of my pieces are shaded entirely on one side... which causes problems when the growth starts.
That's what my experience was with 1, though I could have had a lot better reflector.

Nevermind I really like having the `sun' move from one side of the tank to the other during the day - MH1 [10k] on for 3 hours alone, couple hours of MH1 + MH2 together before MH2 [20k] runs for 3 hours alone. Nice to have a change in bulbs IMO, as some corals look great under 10k vs. 20k ... best of all worlds.
 
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