Reflectors for MH on 210g

[Phyxius]

All right I need some more help and all the info on these reflectors is getting me more confused the more I read. I have my canopy which will have the reflectors I choose mounted 15" off the water.
I`ll be using 3- 250 watt MH`s and 2 6ft VHO actinics. I really should probably go 400 watt units but already have the 250 watt icecaps and bulbs sitting here as I was going to do a 180g which was shorter.

I`m looking at going with the Lumenarc Minis or the Lumenbright minis. With the height at 15" will the minis be okay?? I have 2 braces to clear and using the smaller reflectors will place them neatly in each of the 3 squares in the top of the tank. I like what I have read on the LBs but some info says the LA models are better in higher heights.......
I need to run the minis also so I can have the VHOs run along side the bottom edge of the reflectors. The larger size reflectors make it harder to mount them in the canopy without dropping them below the reflectors. I use them mainly for supplement and the day/night shift in the morning and at night.



I`m looking for any guidance to put me in the right direction again LOL

 

[psteeleb]

the lumabright minis will get great penetration, even at the 15".

using the lumabrights. you may end up with a little spotlight effect in the upper few inches unless you can get them mounted about 18" up. At least that's my experience.

The lumenarcs will give you a broader light coverage but at that height you will be loosing a lot of light outside the tank and won't get nearly the penetration.

Either will work, but if you want more light at the bottom of the tank I'd go with the lumenbrights. I have 250s on mine and I get great penetration on a 36" tall tank. I initially had them about 15" but moved them up.

 

[Phyxius]

psteeleb
Thanks for the reply and the info. I wish I could get the canopy higher but that's the best I can do with it. I have been leaning towards the LB models more anyways. I need the better penetration so I can stick with the 250s for now until we move down the road...

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12803610#post12803610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyxius
psteeleb
Thanks for the reply and the info. I wish I could get the canopy higher but that's the best I can do with it. I have been leaning towards the LB models more anyways. I need the better penetration so I can stick with the 250s for now until we move down the road...

your welcome and I think you will be happy with the lumabrights (I am). I was getting a little spotlight effect in the upper part of the tank until I moved them up higher but I'm covering a 7' long tank and may have them further apart then you will.