MH reflector choices

[rwrussom]

Based on my ideal DIY suspended light canopy layout, I am left with three choices for the MH reflectors. Covering 30" wide and 24" deep tank

1. Reef optix (1 if SE, 3 if DE)
2. Lumen Max (2 if Se, 3 if DE)
3. Lumenarc Stealth

Still undecided on SE or De/ It seems that the SE HQI have leveled the field a bit here and I hear a lot of moaning about the many broken bulbs while changing out DE's.

All comment will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zoos]

I was about to ask a similar question only my tank is 26" wide and 20" deep

 

[Shaun120]

I currently have Reef Optix (DE) on my 120 48x24x24 (LxWxH). I will probably be using 3 or four on my 225 72x24x30. Broke a few bulbs when changing them at first but found that if I let the fixture cool overnight it wasn't as hard to change them out. The biggest issue seems that the clips that the bulb slips into are really tight when new. I took a small screwdriver and spread them a little. You have to be careful not to pry them too much or the bulb will not fit snugly.

One thing about DE over SE is you don't have to worry about bulb orientation with the DE since they only go in one way (some SE don’t matter).

I have both SE and DE fixtures and the SE are a little easier to replace but the intensity and compactness of the DE fixtures seem to be easier to work with.

 

[Yinger]

I had the RO3's before and switched to lumenmax 2s. The coverage on the lumenmaxes were much better, esp front to back.

 

[rwrussom]

bump

 

[shag26272]

I have a Lumen max2 on my 40 breeder that I just set up which is 36 inches long

 

[reef_doug]

My choice would be 250w DE, order of pref for reflectors:

1. Lumenarc mini
2. Lumenmax
3. ROIII

I have the ROIII currently and would like to change to #1 someday. The ROIII were out way before the other two, IMO... that's the main reason why there are so many out there.

 

[shag26272]

If it was going in a canopy I would use the Lumenarc also, the Lumen max is much better looking if you dont have a canopy though

 

[Waxxiemann]

I went with 2x lumen max 3's for my 90, I couldn't be happier, the coverage is awesome.

EDIT: they are inside my canopy. maybe one day I'll go topless.

 

[cabowabo]

Waxxiaman,

Do you have any heat issues inside your canopy with the LM ? Are they easy to mount? One of the reasons Im thinking of a Lumen Max is they look good hanging and you can mount them if need.
Are you running electronic ballasts with them?

 

[shag26272]

you can touch the black part and it is barely warm, I use a 400 watter

 

[GSMguy]

if i get a great deal on reef optix3 are they similar in output to lumenmax3? i got a good deal on the RO and i dont worry about spread as there are two going over my tank

what im asking reallly is are the reflectors in the RO any good? better than hammertone? almost as good as LM?