Best HQI reflector to spread light coverage?

plancton · 08/25/2009, 08:33 PM

Hi, I have a tank that is 72" L. As you´re guessing I should probably need 3x reflectors, but I want to use only 2. Is it ok if I place low light corals such as zoos, chalices and acans.

I would use 250 watt hqis.

Opinions?

magikfly · 08/26/2009, 11:16 AM

Depends on your budget, Sfiligoi has some great reflectors...

cmm1970 · 08/26/2009, 12:35 PM

Lumen Arc III's I believe are designed to throw a three foot spread. LumenBrights are designed to focus a 24" footprint so that and the Lumenmax Elites are probably not candidates for you. Call Mike at Reef Specialty and he'll get you headed in the right direction. Really nice guy!

iFisch · 08/26/2009, 02:36 PM

Depends on how deep the tank is, and if your running a sand bed - and the height of that, and how high the pendants will be off the top off the tank.

Darkstar22 · 08/27/2009, 12:01 PM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review check this out. Very good info!

cmm1970 · 08/27/2009, 12:20 PM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review check this out. Very good info!

Yes, this is what you need to read to guide your decision. One little tidbit of info not provided about the Lumenmax Elite and Lumen Bright reflectors is that they need to be about 14-17" off the water to properly illuminate an area. As you analyze the PAR data, notice that the reflectors all do a good job and also realize that lots of rigs run these various reflectors successfully. So all that said, there is no RIGHT answer to your query.

If you are building a hood, you will be able to build a slightly shorter hood with the Lumenmax Elite vs the LumenBright. This may be a helpful factor in deciding which model you go with. Had to do it over, I would likely go with Lumenmax Elite vs. Lumen Brights so that I could have a hood that is about 3" shorter than what I built for the LB's.

Darkstar22 · 08/27/2009, 12:38 PM

According to the article the Lumen Max Elite will get good coverage upto 3 feet.

08/25/2009, 08:33 PM	#1
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	Best HQI reflector to spread light coverage? Hi, I have a tank that is 72" L. As you´re guessing I should probably need 3x reflectors, but I want to use only 2. Is it ok if I place low light corals such as zoos, chalices and acans. I would use 250 watt hqis. Opinions?

08/26/2009, 11:16 AM	#2
magikfly Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 199	Depends on your budget, Sfiligoi has some great reflectors... __________________ Wind me up, put me down, start me off and watch me go Current Tank Info: RSR 425 XL

08/26/2009, 12:35 PM	#3
cmm1970 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 426	Lumen Arc III's I believe are designed to throw a three foot spread. LumenBrights are designed to focus a 24" footprint so that and the Lumenmax Elites are probably not candidates for you. Call Mike at Reef Specialty and he'll get you headed in the right direction. Really nice guy!

08/26/2009, 02:36 PM	#4
iFisch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL Posts: 3,068	Depends on how deep the tank is, and if your running a sand bed - and the height of that, and how high the pendants will be off the top off the tank.

08/27/2009, 12:01 PM	#5
Darkstar22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 718	http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review check this out. Very good info!

08/27/2009, 12:20 PM	#6
cmm1970 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 426	http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review check this out. Very good info! Yes, this is what you need to read to guide your decision. One little tidbit of info not provided about the Lumenmax Elite and Lumen Bright reflectors is that they need to be about 14-17" off the water to properly illuminate an area. As you analyze the PAR data, notice that the reflectors all do a good job and also realize that lots of rigs run these various reflectors successfully. So all that said, there is no RIGHT answer to your query. If you are building a hood, you will be able to build a slightly shorter hood with the Lumenmax Elite vs the LumenBright. This may be a helpful factor in deciding which model you go with. Had to do it over, I would likely go with Lumenmax Elite vs. Lumen Brights so that I could have a hood that is about 3" shorter than what I built for the LB's.

08/27/2009, 12:38 PM	#7
Darkstar22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 718	According to the article the Lumen Max Elite will get good coverage upto 3 feet.