MH reflector choices

rwrussom · 03/29/2007, 01:49 PM

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 · 03/29/2007, 01:57 PM

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

Shaun120 · 03/29/2007, 02:17 PM

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 donâ€™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 · 03/29/2007, 02:55 PM

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

rwrussom · 03/29/2007, 06:23 PM

bump

shag26272 · 03/30/2007, 12:11 PM

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

reef_doug · 03/30/2007, 04:19 PM

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 · 03/30/2007, 04:21 PM

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 · 03/30/2007, 04:27 PM

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 · 03/30/2007, 08:15 PM

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 · 03/30/2007, 08:35 PM

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

GSMguy · 03/30/2007, 08:49 PM

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?

03/29/2007, 01:57 PM	#2
Zoos Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,334	I was about to ask a similar question only my tank is 26" wide and 20" deep __________________ "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Current Tank Info: None.

03/29/2007, 02:17 PM	#3
Shaun120 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 259	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 donâ€™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. __________________ I'm givin' er all she's got Captain! Current Tank Info: 225 Reef + 120 FOWLR in-wall system, and 68 FOWLR Last edited by Shaun120; 03/29/2007 at 02:25 PM.

03/30/2007, 12:11 PM	#6
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	I have a Lumen max2 on my 40 breeder that I just set up which is 36 inches long __________________ .

03/30/2007, 04:19 PM	#7
reef_doug Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hesperia/Apple Valley Posts: 3,814	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. __________________ "If you have more than one tank in your livingroom, you might be a reefneck" Current Tank Info: 180r SoCal Creations, 75g SCC1M Sump, WM EcoBAK, NextReef SMR1, TropicMarin Salt, ACIII, 3x250w HQI Phoenix 14k, 2x140w Super Actinics, ATi BM250, Eheim 1262, Tunze 2x6100+7095, Tunze Osmolator, 6 stage RODI w/ Spectrapure MaxCap

03/30/2007, 04:21 PM	#8
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	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 __________________ .

03/29/2007, 01:49 PM	#1
rwrussom Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 162	MH reflector choices 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.

03/29/2007, 02:55 PM	#4
Yinger Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Yorba Linda Posts: 3,657	I had the RO3's before and switched to lumenmax 2s. The coverage on the lumenmaxes were much better, esp front to back.

03/29/2007, 06:23 PM	#5
rwrussom Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 162	bump

03/30/2007, 04:27 PM	#9
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	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. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

03/30/2007, 08:15 PM	#10
cabowabo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 248	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?

03/30/2007, 08:35 PM	#11
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	you can touch the black part and it is barely warm, I use a 400 watter __________________ .

03/30/2007, 08:49 PM	#12
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	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? __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.