What are the best reflectors?

[lilredwuck]

I have a 180 gallon tank. 6 x 2 x 2. I am looking for better reflectors than what I have. I am running 250 watt bulbs.

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

I always like the lumenmax elites.

 

[Lorenz725]

+1 I love my lumenax on my 6ft 150 I am running 3 250W radium bulbs

 

[James77]

LumenMax, LumenBright, LumenArc....all are great and will perform well. What reflectors do you have now.

 

[lilredwuck]

Whatever these are, but I turned them 90 degrees as was suggested to me. I was thinking the Lumen Brites as I CoralVue to an extent, but here is what I have now and space. The board will slide forward and back the lights are housed on right now, but I know there is something way better out there.

 

[James77]

Batwings ....yeah, the only thing worse is just running an open bulb.

Any of the ones I listed are great. it is a matter of space, height(lumenbrights need to be hung higher) and looks like finished reflectors. I use LumenMax 3s(LumenMax 2 is single ended version)....I like them for being compact. They are 11"x11"-the SE is 15"x11"- and they cover 2'x2' easily and are in a finished fixture.

 

[JC VT]

I wish they still made the PFO parallel reflectors.

 

[viggen]

I think it also depends on what you want. Do you want a broad spread of the light or a more concentrated spread??

If I recall the luminarc III's are more broad with the lumen bright/max being more concentrated for deeper penetration.

I have been using the luminarc III's for years now...

 

[tinkerman]

With the hieght you have over the tank I would think lumenarc would be better. I have lumenbright and don't think you have enough hieght to mount them high enough for good spread.

 

[lilredwuck]

The ceiling goes up another 10" or so. That is a metal beam someone covered with wood in the front top you see.

 

[Alex T.]

Basically, if you want an even spread of light and PAR, go with a Lumenmax 2 or Lumenarc Mini. If you have the height and can mount over 12" from the surface of the water to the bulb (not reflector), then go with Lumenmax Elites or Lumenbrites.

The first two need to be mounted a little closer to the water to keep the light in the tank and still keep good PAR values. The second two create a spotlight affect if mounted too close and need to be mounted higher. I chose the Lumenmax Elite. It's a great reflector and not too tall. Seeing your height restriction, it may be a better choice. Many will argue that the best spread comes from the Lumenarc, but being able to keep a reflector 14 or 16 inches off the water with the Elites or Lumenbrite Mini will give you more PAR, great spread and much less temperature fluctution. I don't need to run a chiller with 3 400 watt bulbs. You will also not believe how well all of the above reflectors perform compared to what you're currently running.

The following article written by the lightmaster himself (Sanjay Joshi) was the deciding factor for me. Give it a read....great info.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review

 

[aandfsoccr04]

When I bought my setup, it came with the exact same reflectors you have. I bought the lumenmax reflectors and couldn't believe te difference it made. You will be happy with the switch.

 

[CliftonArbogast]

+1 lumenmax

 

[bretcummings]

Lumenmax 2 will give you a more finished look too.

 

[tkeracer619]

Lumenmax 2 or lumenarc mini if you are going to keep the bulbs lower.

Lumenbright or lumenmax elite if your going to keep them higher.

batwings are terribad. Anything you choose will be worlds above it but if it were me I would run lumenmax 2 and move them up and down until you find the optimal point.

 

[tkeracer619]

Get what works best for your setup. Don't try to match reflectors and ballast brands. It doesn't matter.

 

[tinkerman]

If the ballast and reflecter brand are different they sell the quik connect end for the reflecter to wire in for the ballast.

 

[karsseboom]

Lumenbright mini have the most finished look. The rest look like tin foil domes.