reflectors

[saltysteven]

why are the lighting reflectors for MH more expensive than the bulbs? and how much more proformance than just a flat reflector will you get? and i was looking at a Lumenarc reflector from hellolights

 

[marino420td]

Since the bulbs are cylindrical in shape, they emit light in all directions (including up). You need a quality reflector to reflect this light that is going up back into your tank so you get the most benefit of your expensive bulbs.

I have lumenarc mini reflectors on my 120 and love them. They reflect light in a very wide pattern that covers the tank. Here is a picture that will illustrate my point. Notice how many reflections on the water surface you see from this one bulb.

 

[saltysteven]

wow that is pretty cool. i have two, 175 mh and 4 vho 36 inch behind a flat reflector. im not sure that i could fit those new ones with the 4 vho's under a 3x3 hood. i have a 117 cube- what do you think??? and these reflectors are $114 each? how about these - http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=530

 

[JCTewks]

pretty much junk

Here is some good reading on why http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/feature.htm

 

[saltysteven]

it doesnt seem possible to get the 2 reflectors with 4 vho's under the 3x3 hood - is it?

 

[JCTewks]

you'd only need one luminarc to light that tank. and you'll still have room around the edges to put your actinic. I don't think you'll want to keep the 175's...maybe you can trade someone the 2 175's for a 400

 

[saltysteven]

oh so then ill need a new ballast too? one 400 is the way to go? and why?

 

[JCTewks]

well...like you said, you can't fit 2-175 watt bulbs with good reflectors in your 3'x3' hood. You could prob get away with 2 250w MH in poor reflectors...but with a lot of wasted electricity. IMO 1-400w in a luminarc reflector will grow anw SPS you want. If you are wanting a LPS/softy tank, you could do 1-250w in a luminarc.

I was thinking that someone might trade yuo the whole setup, ballast and all

I was just thinking...it seems that your tank being a 36"x36" cube to be 117 gal is only 21" deep...is that correct? If so you could do 1-250w XM 10K MH w/4 icecap overdriven T5's (like 2 pure actinic, 2 blue plus) and grow anything in a 21"deep tank. You'll get higher PAR out of the 250w XM 10K than you will a 400w 20K, and the T5's will give as much or as little blue as your eye likes.

Either way you go, you'll have to spend a little money...but maybe you can get something out of your 2-175w MH's w/ ballast to help offset the cost.

I run 1-175 14K Hamilton over my 26 gal tank in a luminarc reflector and it is amazing the amount and spread of light out of the L3's.

I hope i've helped....not just confused you

 

[kysard1]

I think 2 175W Iwakasi 15ks in a 36" PFO P- reflector would be a good option too.

 

[saltysteven]

hey guys thanx for the great follow up! i guess for now ill use what i have and save for the 400- empty tank anyway and what is a PFO P- reflector ?

 

[JCTewks]

it is the PFO parallel reflector. they are tested in the link I posted above.

the PFO ballasts are cost effective and work great. you can get them at marinedepot.

I think that you'll be able to get by with a 250w bulb if your tank is only 21" tall...especially if you go with a high PAR 10K bulb and supplement with actinic's and blue's.

 

[JCTewks]

Here is a good deal on some 400w equipment.

 

[saltysteven]

hey jeff thank you youve been most helpful- i couldnt access the last 400w link above. and yes the tank is 36x36x21. the guy who i bought the tank off of had great sucess with the bulb set up i mentioned above i guess this all depends on what the 400s go for and how much i can make on flipping my 175s

 

[saltysteven]

and what do you think of the New Lumen Bright Reflector?

 

[JCTewks]

i've read a little on them, but they seem to focus the light more sraight down...the luminarc L3's will easily cover a 3'x3' area. get an icecap 660 and 4-24" T5's around that reflector and you'll have one sweet lighting setup.

Like I said earlier though, at only 21" deep you'll be fine with a single 250 XM10K in a luminarc reflector. No need for a 400 watt bulb on a 21" deep tank unless you want to run one of the really low PAR 20K's.

with a high PAR XM 10K and 4 T5's (2 blueplus, 2 pure actinic's), You'll have higher PAR than a 400w 20K, and a better look IMO.

 

[JCTewks]

I'm not sure why the link isn't working...it was over in the drygoods selling forum here on RC

 

[saltysteven]

k so one of these- 250 XM10K in a luminarc reflector
instead of two 175 mh with flat reflector.
i already have a 660 ice cap with 4 vho.
wheres the best place to get a prive on this set up?
thanx again

 

[JCTewks]

Here is the ballast. It is a standard M58 PFO ballast. Here is the XM 10K bulb. and here is the Luminarc L3 large reflector. Here is the cord to connect the ballast to the L3. Total price 311.88 before shipping

 

[saltysteven]

nice - maybe u can have all that shipped over too thanx man and nice dog, i had 3 St.s myself.

 

[JCTewks]

Yeah, I like my Saints...but I think the next dog might be a Great Dane...much shorter hair when they shed and less slobber