Metal halide reflectors

andrewbram · 09/28/2019, 05:38 PM

So my tank deminsion are 84Lx24wx36tall. Rock scape is set up with 2 islands sps is my jam. I attempted to read through 1600 post to find my answer but brain turned into mush.

Basically I am having a hard time getting enough par to the bottom. I am running 2x 400 watt radium on lumen max reflectors(22x22) and p in r measurement on mq510 at 24 inch down are starting to be a little to weak for my liking.

I have a lumenbrite large laying around and retook measurements and was pleasantly surprised by the increased par however it is still not as high as I would like.

Has anyone used the lumenbrite large and the lumenbrite mini wide. If so do you see about the same par. My thought is I need to be able to run couple t5 as well in order to hit my goal. If I run the large I wont have the room.

All responses are appreciated

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Mr. Brooks · 09/29/2019, 08:39 PM

If you’re looking for maximum intensity, I would take a look at Lumenmax Elite’s. They’re like laser beams.

http://saltycritter.com/lighting/sun...-reflector.htm

I have some basically new in box just in case I decide to switch back to halide someday. They don’t make them anymore as far as I know. Been thinking about selling some of them though.

They put out a very intense circle of light with a pretty steep drop off outside the intense zoom. Tight concentration of high par vs. spread out lower par.

alton · 09/30/2019, 05:18 AM

Lumen Bright mini's would probably work better with a smaller foot print of 16 x 16 or the hamilton pendant. But either way you need a 3 not 2 MH on a 7' tank.

andrewbram · 09/30/2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alton

Lumen Bright mini's would probably work better with a smaller foot print of 16 x 16 or the hamilton pendant. But either way you need a 3 not 2 MH on a 7' tank.

I would tend to agree but I am only trying to light up 2 rock structures. The middle of the tank is open and barren for the foreseeable future. I do have led to supplement just for the viewing.

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hkgar · 09/30/2019, 02:53 PM

What is the par reading that you are getting?

andrewbram · 09/30/2019, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

What is the par reading that you are getting?

On the sand 85. 30 inches 160. 12 inches 350. Bulb is 16 off water as suggested for lumenbrite large. The lumen max reflector is 190 12 inches under water.

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Mr. Brooks · 09/30/2019, 10:11 PM

Lumenmax is great for spread, not so great for par.

hkgar · 10/01/2019, 09:58 AM

36 inches would be a challenge for most any bulb. If you are getting good spread you might try lowering the bulbs to about 12 AWL.

andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Brooks

Lumenmax is great for spread, not so great for par.

Ya I was blinded by the deal I got on these reflectors 25 bucks for the 2.

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andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

36 inches would be a challenge for most any bulb. If you are getting good spread you might try lowering the bulbs to about 12 AWL.

I will try and test that today. Hopefully lowering will still spread over the. Needed rock structures.

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ycnibrc · 10/01/2019, 02:23 PM

Radium 20k don't have high par to begin with. May be switch to 14k to get higher par

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andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycnibrc

Radium 20k don't have high par to begin with. May be switch to 14k to get higher par

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I have also considered this. Any recommendations on bulb that may work well for my application. I have always been a t5 guy. M135 ballast is what I am using if that helps.

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ycnibrc · 10/01/2019, 06:25 PM

I have double end halide and I use Phenix 14k it's the best bulb by far for growth and looks

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andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycnibrc

I have double end halide and I use Phenix 14k it's the best bulb by far for growth and looks

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Do they make that in single end and in 400w

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ycnibrc · 10/01/2019, 10:01 PM

Not Phenix. Try ushio or halminton

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Michael Hoaster · 10/01/2019, 10:33 PM

36 inches is DEEP! I have a 30 inch deep tank with a 400 watt 65K bulb and a Spider light reflector. I grow seagrasses. In my experience, 55-65K bulbs are brighter than the bluer stuff. So you may want to try that, and supplement with t5 or LEDs for the blue.

Also consider a very deep sand bed and/or tall rock work to get your corals located where they get enough PAR. Keeping your water super clear also helps, so you may want to use activated carbon.

andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

36 inches is DEEP! I have a 30 inch deep tank with a 400 watt 65K bulb and a Spider light reflector. I grow seagrasses. In my experience, 55-65K bulbs are brighter than the bluer stuff. So you may want to try that, and supplement with t5 or LEDs for the blue.

Also consider a very deep sand bed and/or tall rock work to get your corals located where they get enough PAR. Keeping your water super clear also helps, so you may want to use activated carbon.

Thank you for this. I have found the lumen brite large reflectors have a nice punch. I do have 4 radion xr15 pro to supplement however they are turned down so that they slowly get brighter. I was hoping someone had the lumen brite mini wides that could provide some insight if they will work because the mini wides will allow to add some t5 as well. Do you run blues with the 65k bulbs. Is the look ok or is it still really yellow. I will attach a picture so people can see where I want the light.

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andrewbram · 10/01/2019, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

36 inches is DEEP! I have a 30 inch deep tank with a 400 watt 65K bulb and a Spider light reflector. I grow seagrasses. In my experience, 55-65K bulbs are brighter than the bluer stuff. So you may want to try that, and supplement with t5 or LEDs for the blue.

Also consider a very deep sand bed and/or tall rock work to get your corals located where they get enough PAR. Keeping your water super clear also helps, so you may want to use activated carbon.

Are you in Colorado. I just looked and you might be next door maybe I could buy a used bulb from you to test. Just a thought.

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Michael Hoaster · 10/02/2019, 07:50 AM

My tank is set up to mimic a very shallow seagrass lagoon with bright sunlight, so no, you wouldn't like it. Just one metal halide light to light a 5 1/2 foot tank, so that one end is dimmer for lower light plants. I do have a little blue added to the dimmer end of the tank to simulate depth, and to provide transition light at dusk and dawn.

09/28/2019, 05:38 PM	#1
andrewbram Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 337	Metal halide reflectors So my tank deminsion are 84Lx24wx36tall. Rock scape is set up with 2 islands sps is my jam. I attempted to read through 1600 post to find my answer but brain turned into mush. Basically I am having a hard time getting enough par to the bottom. I am running 2x 400 watt radium on lumen max reflectors(22x22) and p in r measurement on mq510 at 24 inch down are starting to be a little to weak for my liking. I have a lumenbrite large laying around and retook measurements and was pleasantly surprised by the increased par however it is still not as high as I would like. Has anyone used the lumenbrite large and the lumenbrite mini wide. If so do you see about the same par. My thought is I need to be able to run couple t5 as well in order to hit my goal. If I run the large I wont have the room. All responses are appreciated Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

09/30/2019, 02:53 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	What is the par reading that you are getting? __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/01/2019, 09:58 AM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	36 inches would be a challenge for most any bulb. If you are getting good spread you might try lowering the bulbs to about 12 AWL. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/01/2019, 02:23 PM	#11
ycnibrc STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 3,348	Radium 20k don't have high par to begin with. May be switch to 14k to get higher par Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ SDR STAGHORN DOMINATE REEF Feature Reef of November 2019 GHL TOTM FEB 2020 ABC corals Current Tank Info: 360g Peninsula sps

10/01/2019, 06:25 PM	#13
ycnibrc STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 3,348	I have double end halide and I use Phenix 14k it's the best bulb by far for growth and looks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ SDR STAGHORN DOMINATE REEF Feature Reef of November 2019 GHL TOTM FEB 2020 ABC corals Current Tank Info: 360g Peninsula sps

09/29/2019, 08:39 PM	#2
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	If you’re looking for maximum intensity, I would take a look at Lumenmax Elite’s. They’re like laser beams. http://saltycritter.com/lighting/sun...-reflector.htm I have some basically new in box just in case I decide to switch back to halide someday. They don’t make them anymore as far as I know. Been thinking about selling some of them though. They put out a very intense circle of light with a pretty steep drop off outside the intense zoom. Tight concentration of high par vs. spread out lower par.

09/30/2019, 05:18 AM	#3
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Lumen Bright mini's would probably work better with a smaller foot print of 16 x 16 or the hamilton pendant. But either way you need a 3 not 2 MH on a 7' tank.

09/30/2019, 10:11 PM	#7
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	Lumenmax is great for spread, not so great for par.

10/01/2019, 10:01 PM	#15
ycnibrc STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 3,348	Not Phenix. Try ushio or halminton Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ SDR STAGHORN DOMINATE REEF Feature Reef of November 2019 GHL TOTM FEB 2020 ABC corals Current Tank Info: 360g Peninsula sps

10/01/2019, 10:33 PM	#16
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	36 inches is DEEP! I have a 30 inch deep tank with a 400 watt 65K bulb and a Spider light reflector. I grow seagrasses. In my experience, 55-65K bulbs are brighter than the bluer stuff. So you may want to try that, and supplement with t5 or LEDs for the blue. Also consider a very deep sand bed and/or tall rock work to get your corals located where they get enough PAR. Keeping your water super clear also helps, so you may want to use activated carbon. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/02/2019, 07:50 AM	#19
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	My tank is set up to mimic a very shallow seagrass lagoon with bright sunlight, so no, you wouldn't like it. Just one metal halide light to light a 5 1/2 foot tank, so that one end is dimmer for lower light plants. I do have a little blue added to the dimmer end of the tank to simulate depth, and to provide transition light at dusk and dawn. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018