lighting and reflectors

[islandcreation]

I was looking at my tank and miss a brighter tank. Previous I had my two 250 20k's about 10-12inches away form the water surface. Now with the new canopy its about 24 inches now! So my tank looks dim. I did purchase new bulbs two 250 watt XM 10k's read it has a strong par and went with it.

Here's my dilemma or question.

Right now there on Parabolic Reflectors. I was looking at Lumen Bright L3 Mini Metal Halide Reflectors.

Would it make a huge diffrence? Never read an article regarding reflectors but rather bulbs/ballasts or even the diffrent lighitng in general PC/Halide/VHO/T5

Or would it be just better to add another 250/400 watt halide. Don't want to go in this direction due to more electricity but if its the answer then let it be.

I was going to add my old 4 x 96 watt power compacts to it which can also be another option.

Corals in the tank a variety of hard to soft so strong lighting is needed. Thanks

 

[jtarmitage]

LumenBrights, or even regular Lumenarcs/LumenMax' would make a difference. How long is the tank?
2 avenues that I would take before adding another MH setup(dependent on length of tank)
1: Add your PC's or even better T5's to boost the light.
2: Use a cable or other light hanging device inside of the canopy that allows you to raise/lower the lights. In so doing you could lower the lights for normal duty and raise them up to give you additional room for service. This would effectively increase your lighting using only what you've already got.
I would still invest in the Lumenarcs though.

 

[islandcreation]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11374798#post11374798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
LumenBrights, or even regular Lumenarcs/LumenMax' would make a difference. How long is the tank?
2 avenues that I would take before adding another MH setup(dependent on length of tank)
1: Add your PC's or even better T5's to boost the light.
2: Use a cable or other light hanging device inside of the canopy that allows you to raise/lower the lights. In so doing you could lower the lights for normal duty and raise them up to give you additional room for service. This would effectively increase your lighting using only what you've already got.
I would still invest in the Lumenarcs though.

If I did get the lumenarcsa would a device to lower them still be needed? And is there such a device or do individuals just create one? Such as a pulley system?

 

[jtarmitage]

Don't know that you would need to be able to lower the lights, but the option couldn't hurt. There are alot of people that devise their own way of raising their lights, but a simple pulley system would work. There are also people using setups like the SLS tensioners and such, but they may or may not be a pain. Heck, you could even rig up an actuator with a remote, LOL. Would be cool, but costly.
Another option would be to use chain to hang the lights. Then simply have an S hook handy for when you want to raise the lights. Just lift the light up and hang from the S hook 'til you're done, then pull off the hook to lower.

 

[islandcreation]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11374894#post11374894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
Don't know that you would need to be able to lower the lights, but the option couldn't hurt. There are alot of people that devise their own way of raising their lights, but a simple pulley system would work. There are also people using setups like the SLS tensioners and such, but they may or may not be a pain. Heck, you could even rig up an actuator with a remote, LOL. Would be cool, but costly.
Another option would be to use chain to hang the lights. Then simply have an S hook handy for when you want to raise the lights. Just lift the light up and hang from the S hook 'til you're done, then pull off the hook to lower.

Hmmmm.... my mind is already thinking of what I could do ha,ha,ha any links to a nice setup as to creating something like that?

 

[jtarmitage]

Which, the actuators? I could dig up a couple that use them to raise/lower either the canopy or the front of the canopy. One idea would be to use the actuator along with a pulley. Have the actuator extended for normal duty, connected to the pulley. When you want to raise the lights, use the remote to retract the actuator, pulling the pulley cable and raising the lights. Never seen it done, but seems reasonable enough. Though that may be the half bottle of port and the fact that it's nearly 1am talking. Theory and reality don't necessarily coincide.:lol:

 

[northbay-reefer]

hey while you are at it, why don't you make it a clap on and clap off system too :lol:

 

[islandcreation]

Tom,

I already done that... Best device used to turn on items of all times!