Metal halide reflector for 30 inch tank

fishy888 · 10/08/2021, 12:46 PM

I have a 150 tall and after researching led vs halide I decided to go halide. My question is which reflectors will get the most bang for the buck? I want a SPS dominated tank with some lps and a zoa or two. Thank you.

Vinny Kreyling · 10/09/2021, 11:34 AM

Careful, bulbs are getting harder to find.

Dan. · 10/12/2021, 07:11 AM

Old Lumenbrite larges if you can find them. And Hamilton still stocks bulbs.

fishy888 · 10/22/2021, 12:11 AM

They do seem hard to find although there seem to be a lot of people who still prefer halides. I hope enough go back to halides so they start making bulbs in greater quantities. Then again considering we can't even keep food on the shelves who knows. That said I wish corals did better under LEDs but even now halides seem better for coral health and considering that my reef will be SPS dominant with a maxima or two and maybe even a magnifica anemone I want the best lighting possible over this reef. It also helps that halides just look better.

EnderG60 · 10/27/2021, 06:49 AM

I put a single 400 on a 36"x24" tank by cutting a luminarc in half and extending it using mirrored AL sheet. Made the reflector about 30x20 if i remember right. Worked great and I had no shadows.

I made my own reflectors for my old 300g (36x72) and used 3 of them the size above.

For simplicity sake, Id just grab any of the decent brand reflectors and add some LED supplements.

paul17 · 12/25/2021, 02:49 PM

imo halides are the best..... reef bright makes a nice reflector

LQT · 12/31/2021, 08:25 AM

If you can find them, I’d look for a pair of CoralVue Lumenbright Mini pendants. The reflector design is ideal for penetrating deeper tanks.

10/08/2021, 12:46 PM	#1
fishy888 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 156	Metal halide reflector for 30 inch tank I have a 150 tall and after researching led vs halide I decided to go halide. My question is which reflectors will get the most bang for the buck? I want a SPS dominated tank with some lps and a zoa or two. Thank you.

10/09/2021, 11:34 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Careful, bulbs are getting harder to find. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/25/2021, 02:49 PM	#6
paul17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: rohnert park ca.94928 Posts: 293	imo halides are the best..... reef bright makes a nice reflector __________________ consumed Current Tank Info: cad light 100 gallon

12/31/2021, 08:25 AM	#7
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	If you can find them, I’d look for a pair of CoralVue Lumenbright Mini pendants. The reflector design is ideal for penetrating deeper tanks. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

10/12/2021, 07:11 AM	#3
Dan. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 53	Old Lumenbrite larges if you can find them. And Hamilton still stocks bulbs.

10/22/2021, 12:11 AM	#4
fishy888 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 156	They do seem hard to find although there seem to be a lot of people who still prefer halides. I hope enough go back to halides so they start making bulbs in greater quantities. Then again considering we can't even keep food on the shelves who knows. That said I wish corals did better under LEDs but even now halides seem better for coral health and considering that my reef will be SPS dominant with a maxima or two and maybe even a magnifica anemone I want the best lighting possible over this reef. It also helps that halides just look better.

10/27/2021, 06:49 AM	#5
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 3,260	I put a single 400 on a 36"x24" tank by cutting a luminarc in half and extending it using mirrored AL sheet. Made the reflector about 30x20 if i remember right. Worked great and I had no shadows. I made my own reflectors for my old 300g (36x72) and used 3 of them the size above. For simplicity sake, Id just grab any of the decent brand reflectors and add some LED supplements.