most efficient way to light a 96"x30"x30"

launchnukes · 03/20/2010, 12:05 PM

I'm in the process of purchasing a 375g 96x30x30. I plan on keeping sps in the top 3/4 and lps and some lower light corals on the bottom. I'm in the planning stages now and I'm trying to run the tank as efficient as possible. my major concerns are monthly/yearly expenses, power consumption and the cost of bulb replacement. I dont mind spending more up front for less $ down the road.

one thing i was considering was 3x 250w MHs on good, wide reflectors with a 20K bulb to keep things blue. I've seen a few similar setups work without supplemental lights. however i may need to add 4 54w t5s to help.

I've also considered 2x 10x54 powermodules or 20 54w t5 retro but bulb replacement wouldn't be fun.

any suggestions? will i be able to get away with 3x 250w or am i way off?

thanks.

nikon187 · 03/20/2010, 08:19 PM

3 250w in lumenarc 3 large ( 19" X 19") should cover it fine

pbnj · 03/20/2010, 09:19 PM

If you're set on only 3 reflectors, then yes, Lumenarcs.

deuce6371 · 03/20/2010, 09:53 PM

I have 4 - 400 W on my 96" tank and it works very well.

Eric the half-bee · 03/20/2010, 10:44 PM

Over my 7' long 400gal, I have 4x400watt 12K + 4 36"superactinic VHO. I am happy with color, growth and intensity.

launchnukes · 03/21/2010, 07:58 PM

Thanks for the replys. I would really like to go 400w but I'm going to stick to 250 now for the power savings. What do you guys think about the lumenmax elite vs the lumenarcs?

t4zalews · 03/22/2010, 08:07 AM

sanjay has a good article about all these reflectors, just google sanjay lumenarc review in google and should be the first one. From what I've read...the lumenmax elite provides a higher intesity than the lumenarc but is more focused in its distrubution of light...the lumenarc has a bigger spread. I'd say if you're going to use 250w, use the lumenbright reflectors by coralvue..these from what I've read utilize the light the best on getting it in your tank. You could just hang them higher and with the addition of actinics, you would minimize the spotlight effect.

porthios · 03/22/2010, 04:31 PM

that's kind of the route i took. mine is 96x42x30 and i just hung my lumenbrights a bit higher than usual. i run 4x400w reeflux 12ks fwiw and i get anywhere from 150-300par at the sand.

don't usually hear 20k and energy efficient in the same sentence..

Alex T. · 03/23/2010, 09:32 PM

+1. But I would add to the OP that nothing in this hobby is efficient. It's all just different levels of insanity. I love it!

tylorarm · 03/23/2010, 09:52 PM

Just to mix things up a bit, I believe Sunlight Supply is going to start making the Lumenmax 3 again. At 22" square it's a bit bigger than the Lumenarc 3, and has pretty good spread. Sanjay has test results on both the lumenmax 3 and lumenarc 3, and that can help you decide.

TampaReefer79 · 03/24/2010, 07:14 AM

The only problem is going to be that everyone will have their own opinion. When I was doing my lighting research, I decided on Lumen Max Elite's, 250 watt Radium 20k's, on Bluwave ballasts. (the tank is 30 inches wide and 30 inches tall)

03/20/2010, 12:05 PM	#1
launchnukes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 703	most efficient way to light a 96"x30"x30" I'm in the process of purchasing a 375g 96x30x30. I plan on keeping sps in the top 3/4 and lps and some lower light corals on the bottom. I'm in the planning stages now and I'm trying to run the tank as efficient as possible. my major concerns are monthly/yearly expenses, power consumption and the cost of bulb replacement. I dont mind spending more up front for less $ down the road. one thing i was considering was 3x 250w MHs on good, wide reflectors with a 20K bulb to keep things blue. I've seen a few similar setups work without supplemental lights. however i may need to add 4 54w t5s to help. I've also considered 2x 10x54 powermodules or 20 54w t5 retro but bulb replacement wouldn't be fun. any suggestions? will i be able to get away with 3x 250w or am i way off? thanks. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 750xxl Previous Tank: 300DD Display 500g system.

03/20/2010, 08:19 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	3 250w in lumenarc 3 large ( 19" X 19") should cover it fine __________________ ----------------- 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.

03/20/2010, 09:53 PM	#4
deuce6371 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Joseph, MO Posts: 161	I have 4 - 400 W on my 96" tank and it works very well. __________________ John B. Current Tank Info: 300 gal., Reeflo Orca skimmer, ASD calcium reactor,3 x 400 watt MH,Basement equipment, sump, refugium and frag tank

03/20/2010, 10:44 PM	#5
Eric the half-bee Passer of gasses Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Space Coast, FL Posts: 837	Over my 7' long 400gal, I have 4x400watt 12K + 4 36"superactinic VHO. I am happy with color, growth and intensity. __________________ MOLON LABE - King Leonidas I A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. – Barry Goldwater Current Tank Info: Semi agressive reef-400 gal.-8 tangs,2 rabbit fish,zebra moray,blue ribbon eel,Janss' pipe,pair bangaiis,wrasse,tomato clown,maroon clown

03/21/2010, 07:58 PM	#6
launchnukes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 703	Thanks for the replys. I would really like to go 400w but I'm going to stick to 250 now for the power savings. What do you guys think about the lumenmax elite vs the lumenarcs? __________________ Red Sea Reefer 750xxl Previous Tank: 300DD Display 500g system.

03/20/2010, 09:19 PM	#3
pbnj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 381	If you're set on only 3 reflectors, then yes, Lumenarcs.

03/22/2010, 08:07 AM	#7
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	sanjay has a good article about all these reflectors, just google sanjay lumenarc review in google and should be the first one. From what I've read...the lumenmax elite provides a higher intesity than the lumenarc but is more focused in its distrubution of light...the lumenarc has a bigger spread. I'd say if you're going to use 250w, use the lumenbright reflectors by coralvue..these from what I've read utilize the light the best on getting it in your tank. You could just hang them higher and with the addition of actinics, you would minimize the spotlight effect.

03/22/2010, 04:31 PM	#8
porthios Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: colorado Posts: 719	that's kind of the route i took. mine is 96x42x30 and i just hung my lumenbrights a bit higher than usual. i run 4x400w reeflux 12ks fwiw and i get anywhere from 150-300par at the sand. don't usually hear 20k and energy efficient in the same sentence.. __________________ - jason homepage -> build thread.. Current Tank Info: 525g display with several supporting subsystems..

03/23/2010, 09:32 PM	#9
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	+1. But I would add to the OP that nothing in this hobby is efficient. It's all just different levels of insanity. I love it!

03/23/2010, 09:52 PM	#10
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	Just to mix things up a bit, I believe Sunlight Supply is going to start making the Lumenmax 3 again. At 22" square it's a bit bigger than the Lumenarc 3, and has pretty good spread. Sanjay has test results on both the lumenmax 3 and lumenarc 3, and that can help you decide.

03/24/2010, 07:14 AM	#11
TampaReefer79 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 3,448	The only problem is going to be that everyone will have their own opinion. When I was doing my lighting research, I decided on Lumen Max Elite's, 250 watt Radium 20k's, on Bluwave ballasts. (the tank is 30 inches wide and 30 inches tall)