Reflectors for Metal Halides

rdnyva · 12/09/2009, 07:24 PM

After 4 years the MH reflectors in my DIY canopy are in pretty bad shape so I'm planning to replace them soon. Are all reflectors more or less the same? Any reccomendations on what to get and where to buy them?

James77 · 12/09/2009, 07:50 PM

Not in the least. The larger, higher end reflectors- Lumenmax, Lumenarc, Lumenbright- will get far more light into your tank than a spider or cheap reflector. If this is for your 180, I would go with 3 Lumenarc Minis. You could do Lumenbrights, but they need to be up higher to spread out.

rdnyva · 12/10/2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the info James. I did a quick Google on Lumenarc Mini and almost had a heart attack. Approx $140 per reflector. Is that correct. This is going to more expensive than I thought. Any suggestions on where to buy for a good deal?

BTW - the top of my canopy is 8 inches from the water surface.

James77 · 12/10/2009, 09:45 AM

You could find them used on these forums if you luck out. Aquacave sells them for $130 each, and they have a 5% off coupon code(RC5). You might find some deals with the holidays around. The Lumenbrights are a little cheaper, if you can hang them higher.

They are well worth the money, they give you bright, intense and even coverage. Using a $30 or $40 spider reflector would work- but the difference is huge in light output.

12/09/2009, 07:24 PM	#1
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Reflectors for Metal Halides After 4 years the MH reflectors in my DIY canopy are in pretty bad shape so I'm planning to replace them soon. Are all reflectors more or less the same? Any reccomendations on what to get and where to buy them? __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

12/09/2009, 07:50 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Not in the least. The larger, higher end reflectors- Lumenmax, Lumenarc, Lumenbright- will get far more light into your tank than a spider or cheap reflector. If this is for your 180, I would go with 3 Lumenarc Minis. You could do Lumenbrights, but they need to be up higher to spread out. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

12/10/2009, 07:45 AM	#3
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Thanks for the info James. I did a quick Google on Lumenarc Mini and almost had a heart attack. Approx $140 per reflector. Is that correct. This is going to more expensive than I thought. Any suggestions on where to buy for a good deal? BTW - the top of my canopy is 8 inches from the water surface. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

12/10/2009, 09:45 AM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	You could find them used on these forums if you luck out. Aquacave sells them for $130 each, and they have a 5% off coupon code(RC5). You might find some deals with the holidays around. The Lumenbrights are a little cheaper, if you can hang them higher. They are well worth the money, they give you bright, intense and even coverage. Using a $30 or $40 spider reflector would work- but the difference is huge in light output. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater