Which reflector for 4'x4'x2' tank, with only one MH light

funnyguyMI · 10/25/2010, 02:21 PM

I'm thinking about expanding my frag tank to a larger, top-down tank. I'd like to get away with just one MH light over the tank, and am thinking maybe a 250 in one of the newer, more efficient reflectors/pendants.

Any thoughts on if I could get away with this?

I'd rather go with the LumenBright, because I like the finished look of the pendant, and this will be hanging from the ceiling. But, if the square shape of the LumenArc will distribute the light in a square shape that matches the footprint of the tank better, then I could go with one of those too.

The height of the tank will be between 20-24", so that could help a bit too.. Although, I'm leaning towards keeping the extra couple inches..

I can raise the fixture above the tank a bit, and I've heard of some people running these at 16+" above their tanks and getting some crazy amounts of light out of them.

The tank will be a mixed reef, with any SPS being located more towards the center if needs be.

Hmm, I guess another concern I might have about this would be shadows from the LR/aquascaping.. Any thoughts on that as well?

Thanks,
-Mike

nikon187 · 10/25/2010, 02:32 PM

1 full size lumen arc will spread the light out much better than a lumenbrite. A lumen arc can easily light a 3'X3' are 14" off the water.

grigsy · 10/25/2010, 08:58 PM

I went down south to RAP show this weekend in So Cal and there was a fish store very close to LAX Airport that had a Hamilton Cabo Sun pendant over 4' x 4' tanks.

One Cabo Sun was giving full coverage over each 4' x 4' tank. There were four tanks all together and each one had one of those right over it. They looked great.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...n-Systems-2019

scubasteve06 · 10/25/2010, 10:49 PM

You'll probably need at least a 400w MH or even better would be a 1000w MH. How mang gallons is this tank? If its 4'x4'x2' its gotta be at least in the 250g-300g range which would need IMO a 1000w MH if you are dead set on running just one fixture/reflector/bulb.

kmu · 10/26/2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grigsy

I went down south to RAP show this weekend in So Cal and there was a fish store very close to LAX Airport that had a Hamilton Cabo Sun pendant over 4' x 4' tanks.

One Cabo Sun was giving full coverage over each 4' x 4' tank. There were four tanks all together and each one had one of those right over it. They looked great.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...n-Systems-2019

Do you know what wattage bulbs where they running, how far from the water level and how tall where the tanks?

THX in advance

nyvp · 10/26/2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubasteve06

You'll probably need at least a 400w MH or even better would be a 1000w MH. How mang gallons is this tank? If its 4'x4'x2' its gotta be at least in the 250g-300g range which would need IMO a 1000w MH if you are dead set on running just one fixture/reflector/bulb.

why would a 2' deep tank need a 1k bulb? that is total waste of money. depending on your corals and how high up in the tank your running them. one 250 w or one 400 is fine. Remember corals don't know how much water is below them.if you put your high light needing ones above the half way mark and dont have sps in the sand one 250 is fine depending on your color needs. below is an image of a 400 watt 20k radium in a lumenarc on a 4x3x2.5 tank. in my opinion there is MORE then enough light there even though that tank is 30" deep.

funnyguyMI · 10/26/2010, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. After doing some searching on info about the Lumenarcs, I came across this website that has a pretty good review of the different reflectors.

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

I think either one of the large LumenMax or the Hamilton Cabo Sun that grigsy mentioned will work well. Probably with a 250w Phoenix 14K..

Yeah, I think 1000w would be overkill. 250 might be a tad weak, but it's going to be a mixed reef, and I can just put the higher light demanding corals up higher and closer to the center.

Seeing nyvp's photo confirms my worry about shadows. But, I think by putting the LR for the aquascaping more around the perimeter of the tank, I can avoid that.

Anyway, it will be a few weeks before I get going on this, but when I do I'll make sure to put a build thread up for y'all!

stephane · 10/26/2010, 07:30 PM

here is a 40x40x22 deep with one 400 watt 20k XM in a lumen bright

10/25/2010, 02:21 PM	#1
funnyguyMI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 209	Which reflector for 4'x4'x2' tank, with only one MH light I'm thinking about expanding my frag tank to a larger, top-down tank. I'd like to get away with just one MH light over the tank, and am thinking maybe a 250 in one of the newer, more efficient reflectors/pendants. Any thoughts on if I could get away with this? I'd rather go with the LumenBright, because I like the finished look of the pendant, and this will be hanging from the ceiling. But, if the square shape of the LumenArc will distribute the light in a square shape that matches the footprint of the tank better, then I could go with one of those too. The height of the tank will be between 20-24", so that could help a bit too.. Although, I'm leaning towards keeping the extra couple inches.. I can raise the fixture above the tank a bit, and I've heard of some people running these at 16+" above their tanks and getting some crazy amounts of light out of them. The tank will be a mixed reef, with any SPS being located more towards the center if needs be. Hmm, I guess another concern I might have about this would be shadows from the LR/aquascaping.. Any thoughts on that as well? Thanks, -Mike

10/25/2010, 02:32 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	1 full size lumen arc will spread the light out much better than a lumenbrite. A lumen arc can easily light a 3'X3' are 14" off the water. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

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10/25/2010, 08:58 PM	#3
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I went down south to RAP show this weekend in So Cal and there was a fish store very close to LAX Airport that had a Hamilton Cabo Sun pendant over 4' x 4' tanks. One Cabo Sun was giving full coverage over each 4' x 4' tank. There were four tanks all together and each one had one of those right over it. They looked great. http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...n-Systems-2019

10/25/2010, 10:49 PM	#4
scubasteve06 Jeeper Reefer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 1,171	You'll probably need at least a 400w MH or even better would be a 1000w MH. How mang gallons is this tank? If its 4'x4'x2' its gotta be at least in the 250g-300g range which would need IMO a 1000w MH if you are dead set on running just one fixture/reflector/bulb.

10/26/2010, 09:27 AM	#7
funnyguyMI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 209	Thanks for the replies everyone. After doing some searching on info about the Lumenarcs, I came across this website that has a pretty good review of the different reflectors. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review I think either one of the large LumenMax or the Hamilton Cabo Sun that grigsy mentioned will work well. Probably with a 250w Phoenix 14K.. Yeah, I think 1000w would be overkill. 250 might be a tad weak, but it's going to be a mixed reef, and I can just put the higher light demanding corals up higher and closer to the center. Seeing nyvp's photo confirms my worry about shadows. But, I think by putting the LR for the aquascaping more around the perimeter of the tank, I can avoid that. Anyway, it will be a few weeks before I get going on this, but when I do I'll make sure to put a build thread up for y'all!

10/26/2010, 07:30 PM	#8
stephane Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Montreal,Canada Posts: 864	here is a 40x40x22 deep with one 400 watt 20k XM in a lumen bright