New Lumen Bright Reflector. ... any info on them - Page 14

DennisRB · 07/08/2008, 05:57 AM

Wow, this thread took me hours to read.

I need advice on some reflectors and lamps. I have a 8 x 2 tall x 2.5 wide tank. It has 2 center braces. Which is why I have 3 lights over it. They are currently 150W shoplighters. But I have 3 x 250W HQI ballasts I want to use. What reflectors and lamps should I use?

This is the tank after I rushed to set it up. I got it as a complete setup with livestock for $2000. I will take a lot of rock out and make it into an open aquascape with maybe 3 bommies or similar. I know most people would use 4 reflectors, but that would mean 2 over the braces. But the main thing is I don't need or want a rock wall aquascape with as much rock and coral as I cam ram into a tank this big. I am fine with leaving gaps either side of the tank in the aquascape when I finalize it.

So do you think its possible to aquascape around 3 lights in a tank of this size? What combination of reflectors and lamps might I get best results from? I plan on a mixed reef with softies LPS and SPS.

bubbletip2 · 07/08/2008, 06:30 AM

You have plenty of room to raise them up so if you kept 3 mini Lumenbrights at 16" starting 1.5 feet off of each side and the middle reflector directly in the middle you can do this. You will have some areas where there will be less than optimal light for SPS but fine for LPS and Softies. This area will be off to each side of the tank as well as the small area at the top half of the tank that does not get crossover light between the middle bulb and the next bulb over. The middle bulb will produce a crossover cone but since it is so far away from the next bulb the crossover light will start lower in the tank. This is the gap I am speaking of. I would keep this area as your gap in the tank as far as aquascape perfect fish to swim in and out of. If you keep these areas free of rock for growing SPS you should be fine. Actually deepwater acros may do ok here. Personally I don't believe putting a reflector over a brace is that big of a deal and 4 reflectors would be optimal. Hopefully that helps.

mrkalel · 07/08/2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrkalel
Hey guys, reading more and more about these new reflectors, I am convinced they will help my situation....

My current set up is a 144 Gal Half-Circle...

And the top looks like this...

...Except that I cut the far left and right plastic pieces so that the top looks like its completely open except for two braces....

The lighting that I am using is two 150 Watt PFO pendents on the far left and right, and 1 150 watt Current USA Pod in the back and 1 250 Watt Pod in the front... All bulbs are 14K....

Now adding all that up its 1100 Watts, and the bulbs are only about 3" from the surface, but I am able to fit the canopy on when company comes over....

What I am planing on doing is building a completely new canopy / cabinet above the tank and putting 2-3 of the new reflectors...

What I am wondering is what arrangement do you think will work best?...

Melev has suggested 2 reflectors, which I believe will work great, but I was thinking about maybe one large one in the middle and 2 smaller ones on the side...

Also what do you guys think about bulb wattage?... I like Melev's use of the 400 watt in the middle and 2 250 on the side, and also using some type of PC lighting for dusk & dawn (plus some type of moon lights)...

And the biggest issue I see having with this new setup would be having full access to my overflows and back of tank... since my tank kisses the wall behind it....

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well as suggestions on mounting the reflectors to allow for movement up and down for tank maintenance.....

Any suggestions Bubbletip2?

glxtrix · 07/08/2008, 10:28 AM

the reflectors are going to be 14-18" off the water, you'll have plenty of room to get into the tank. i think 2 reflectors would be fine as well, no need for 3. You could either go with 2x250 or 400's if you want.

bubbletip2 · 07/08/2008, 10:55 AM

I agree with Glixtrix. 2 reflectors should suffice with either 250's or 400's. I think 3 would be overkill and provide more light onto your floor due to the tank's shape. Large or small is your choice as well. You will have light spill due to the curvature of the tank but that would happen with other reflectors as well and probably more so. That is the compromise with an oddly shaped tank. Pretty cool though. I have not seen a full blown reef set up in a half circle tank.

mrkalel · 07/08/2008, 01:45 PM

And access to the back for the overflows, still think it will be ok?

bubbletip2 · 07/08/2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrkalel
And access to the back for the overflows, still think it will be ok?

Obviously you will be either hanging the reflectors from the ceiling allowing for them to be raised and lowered. Otherwise you will build a canopy that can accomodate the reflectors at specific heights for your application - I am thinking 16" bulb to water minimum here. The whole thing in building the canopy is whether you will have access at the front of the canopy. or if the only way will be to go over the top of the canopy. In this scenario the reflectors will either need to be raised out of the way in order to get inside the tank. Personally I feel 2 finished pendants will do just fine for your set up and look decent being hung from the ceiling. Plaster can always be patched.

By using a hanging system you will not have any problem getting in and out of the tank including overflows and will also provide plenty of air circulation and reduced heat.

mrkalel · 07/08/2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bubbletip2
Obviously you will be either hanging the reflectors from the ceiling allowing for them to be raised and lowered. Otherwise you will build a canopy that can accomodate the reflectors at specific heights for your application - I am thinking 16" bulb to water minimum here. The whole thing in building the canopy is whether you will have access at the front of the canopy. or if the only way will be to go over the top of the canopy. In this scenario the reflectors will either need to be raised out of the way in order to get inside the tank. Personally I feel 2 finished pendants will do just fine for your set up and look decent being hung from the ceiling. Plaster can always be patched. By using a hanging system you will not have any problem getting in and out of the tank including overflows and will also provide plenty of air circulation and reduced heat.

Thats true.... my only problem is that I am trying to limit the amount of light from above the water with a canopy, due to a projector in the room....

But is it true that these really beam the light down into the water alot, or is there much light coming out from the sides?

mrkalel · 07/08/2008, 02:22 PM

Also is there a good system out there that allows constant adjusting of the lights ( meaning only having to push or pull on the actual pendent?)... I have heard of people using bicycle suspension units which I believe uses pulleys that you would have to pull and tie-off....

ganjero · 07/08/2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrkalel
Also is there a good system out there that allows constant adjusting of the lights ( meaning only having to push or pull on the actual pendent?)... I have heard of people using bicycle suspension units which I believe uses pulleys that you would have to pull and tie-off....

They have the yo-yos but those are easy to adjust when you need to raise the lights, but when you need to lower them is kind of a pain because you have to untie a screw lower the lights and tighten it again.

melev · 07/08/2008, 05:00 PM

With the lights up so high, I don't see why you couldn't access the overflow. It'll be tight, but you'll have about 12" of space.

AcroporAddict · 07/08/2008, 06:38 PM

Guys,
Hate to say this, but I am thinking about getting a larger reef tank than my 120 gallon, which has 2 LB Minis/CV250 watt ballast/12K Reeflux Bulbs. This would replace the 120. It is a Deep Sea Aquatics (founded by former Oceanic employees) Neo 185. Back center overflow, no center brace, and the dimensions are L60" x W30" x H25".

I was thinking maybe adding another LB Mini/CV 250 watt ballast/12K Reeflux for a total of three on this tank. Each Mini would be responsible for an area 20" x 30". How does this sound for a mostly SPS tank? I didn't know if the 30" width of the tank would cause an issue for the minis.

Tank is the same depth as my Oceanic 120 Tech Series.

Thoughts? Thanks!
Dave

jlaudiofreak · 07/08/2008, 07:44 PM

How well will the lumenbrights do using a 175 10k bulb on a tank 24" deep with a 4" sand bed

glxtrix · 07/09/2008, 09:48 AM

they will be fine. I run 175W 15K Iwasaki's in mine and see no need to change. Tank is 24"D and 24"T

glxtrix · 07/09/2008, 09:50 AM

Dave, you should be "ok" with adding another LB...If it doesnt cover the 30"D too well, just raise them a little bit higher. Keep in mind tho, thats getting close to the limit of what the minis can do as far as spread goes.

AcroporAddict · 07/09/2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by glxtrix
Dave, you should be "ok" with adding another LB...If it doesnt cover the 30"D too well, just raise them a little bit higher. Keep in mind tho, thats getting close to the limit of what the minis can do as far as spread goes.

Lee,
Thanks, but it shouldn't be a problem as I've changed my mind again!!

I think I will go with a six footer, probably an All-Glass 210. Three areas 24"x24". This should be good with one extra Mini/CV ballast/Reeflux 250 12k. Is this good for a 29" deep tank? Just 4 inches deeper than my current 120. Tank measures 72"x24"x29".
Best,
Dave

glxtrix · 07/09/2008, 02:25 PM

Nice, sounds good.

nickts40 · 07/11/2008, 02:47 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1418646

Here is a six footer

naprestsleep · 07/12/2008, 09:18 PM

So chalk one up for stupidity.

Today I noticed I never removed the plastic from the top facet of the reflector. Its now be heat fused to the facet and will not come off. Anyone know if I contact coralvue or my vendor if I can order just one facet. It looks like if I remove some screws from the top that facet is removable.

Thanks -- Joe

cward · 07/12/2008, 09:24 PM

I wish they would have made the glass a little easier to remove. I removed the protective film on mine, but it was a pain in the butt.

elvn · 07/14/2008, 01:39 PM

I have a question about the lumen brights.

My next tank is going in my basement and is on a tall stand, as well as being a 30" tall tank. This leaves only 18" from tank lip to ceiling (measured it), and probably about 19" to the overflows/waterline (guessing- didn't measure that).

My tank/canopy are 60" long by 30" wide. I wanted to put three lumen brights across. My lights are

250w phoenix 14k DE pendant -- 400w mogul radium --- 250w 14k DE pendant

Originally I was looking at the large lumenbright mogul reflector (Single-Ended, finished) for the middle but its 20"x20"x 9". The DE pendants are 16"x16"x 7". These would fit horizontally across the canopy at a total of 56" out of the 60" across that the canopy is. However even if I had the canopy at ceiling level, the lights would only be 9" above the lip and somewhere around 10" off the water for the mogul/SE one , and 10" / 11" off the water for the DE pendants. Even the mini moguls are the same dimensions as the DE pendants so they wouldn't be helping much height wise.

Do you think the lumenbrights would be worth it in this setup? Being 'only' 11" --- 9" --- 11" above the water due to the depth of the reflectors?

JRaquatics · 07/14/2008, 01:43 PM

are you talking about 11-9" from bulb to water?

elvn · 07/14/2008, 02:00 PM

Now that you mention it, I guess I was going by the reflector dimensions and not the distance to the bulb. That is the distance from the water line to the bottom of the reflector.

Can anyone tell me what the distance from the bottom of the reflector to the bulb on the large SE pendant and the DE pendants is?

My tank lip to ceiling is 18" , to water line prob 19" or so.

JRaquatics · 07/14/2008, 02:07 PM

I don't have those dimensions and RC seems a little slow today. I would give Mike at Reef Specialty a call and he'll be able to answer all your questions. 773-851-3861

melev · 07/14/2008, 02:18 PM

On the larger reflectors, it is 4" from the base of the reflector to the bulb. We had a similar conversation about this two pages ago with almost the exact same dimensions.

07/08/2008, 06:30 AM	#327
bubbletip2 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 736	You have plenty of room to raise them up so if you kept 3 mini Lumenbrights at 16" starting 1.5 feet off of each side and the middle reflector directly in the middle you can do this. You will have some areas where there will be less than optimal light for SPS but fine for LPS and Softies. This area will be off to each side of the tank as well as the small area at the top half of the tank that does not get crossover light between the middle bulb and the next bulb over. The middle bulb will produce a crossover cone but since it is so far away from the next bulb the crossover light will start lower in the tank. This is the gap I am speaking of. I would keep this area as your gap in the tank as far as aquascape perfect fish to swim in and out of. If you keep these areas free of rock for growing SPS you should be fine. Actually deepwater acros may do ok here. Personally I don't believe putting a reflector over a brace is that big of a deal and 4 reflectors would be optimal. Hopefully that helps. __________________ 3-250W 12K Reeflux-CV Bllsts-3 Mini LB's,2 54w T5's,Advncd. ballast,2 - VTech MP40Ws,Reeflo Dart & Orca 200,Eshopps 37gsump, Ltrmtr + 1 - top off/alk-ca,RK 2 & AC JR,2 TLF Phosban Rctors,4 Orion fans Current Tank Info: 156G Oceanic SPS Dominant Reef System(L60.5 x W24.5 x H25) - 30g Cube plmbed into DT - 1 LG LB Pndt. - 250w EVC 14K(EVC Ballast) - Panworld(790gph feed)

07/08/2008, 10:55 AM	#330
bubbletip2 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 736	I agree with Glixtrix. 2 reflectors should suffice with either 250's or 400's. I think 3 would be overkill and provide more light onto your floor due to the tank's shape. Large or small is your choice as well. You will have light spill due to the curvature of the tank but that would happen with other reflectors as well and probably more so. That is the compromise with an oddly shaped tank. Pretty cool though. I have not seen a full blown reef set up in a half circle tank. __________________ 3-250W 12K Reeflux-CV Bllsts-3 Mini LB's,2 54w T5's,Advncd. ballast,2 - VTech MP40Ws,Reeflo Dart & Orca 200,Eshopps 37gsump, Ltrmtr + 1 - top off/alk-ca,RK 2 & AC JR,2 TLF Phosban Rctors,4 Orion fans Current Tank Info: 156G Oceanic SPS Dominant Reef System(L60.5 x W24.5 x H25) - 30g Cube plmbed into DT - 1 LG LB Pndt. - 250w EVC 14K(EVC Ballast) - Panworld(790gph feed)

07/08/2008, 01:45 PM	#331
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	And access to the back for the overflows, still think it will be ok? __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's

07/08/2008, 02:22 PM	#334
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	Also is there a good system out there that allows constant adjusting of the lights ( meaning only having to push or pull on the actual pendent?)... I have heard of people using bicycle suspension units which I believe uses pulleys that you would have to pull and tie-off.... __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's

07/11/2008, 02:47 PM	#343
nickts40 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gillette, NJ Posts: 181	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1418646 Here is a six footer __________________ Current Tank: 220G , 50G Sump, 3x400 12K Reeflux, Orca 250 skimmer, 4x6100 Tunze, GEO Kalk and 612 Calcium Reactor, ACIII Controller, Chiller

07/08/2008, 05:57 AM	#326
DennisRB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 388	Wow, this thread took me hours to read. I need advice on some reflectors and lamps. I have a 8 x 2 tall x 2.5 wide tank. It has 2 center braces. Which is why I have 3 lights over it. They are currently 150W shoplighters. But I have 3 x 250W HQI ballasts I want to use. What reflectors and lamps should I use? This is the tank after I rushed to set it up. I got it as a complete setup with livestock for $2000. I will take a lot of rock out and make it into an open aquascape with maybe 3 bommies or similar. I know most people would use 4 reflectors, but that would mean 2 over the braces. But the main thing is I don't need or want a rock wall aquascape with as much rock and coral as I cam ram into a tank this big. I am fine with leaving gaps either side of the tank in the aquascape when I finalize it. So do you think its possible to aquascape around 3 lights in a tank of this size? What combination of reflectors and lamps might I get best results from? I plan on a mixed reef with softies LPS and SPS.

07/08/2008, 10:28 AM	#329
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	the reflectors are going to be 14-18" off the water, you'll have plenty of room to get into the tank. i think 2 reflectors would be fine as well, no need for 3. You could either go with 2x250 or 400's if you want.

07/08/2008, 05:00 PM	#336
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	With the lights up so high, I don't see why you couldn't access the overflow. It'll be tight, but you'll have about 12" of space.

07/08/2008, 06:38 PM	#337
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	Guys, Hate to say this, but I am thinking about getting a larger reef tank than my 120 gallon, which has 2 LB Minis/CV250 watt ballast/12K Reeflux Bulbs. This would replace the 120. It is a Deep Sea Aquatics (founded by former Oceanic employees) Neo 185. Back center overflow, no center brace, and the dimensions are L60" x W30" x H25". I was thinking maybe adding another LB Mini/CV 250 watt ballast/12K Reeflux for a total of three on this tank. Each Mini would be responsible for an area 20" x 30". How does this sound for a mostly SPS tank? I didn't know if the 30" width of the tank would cause an issue for the minis. Tank is the same depth as my Oceanic 120 Tech Series. Thoughts? Thanks! Dave

07/08/2008, 07:44 PM	#338
jlaudiofreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 525	How well will the lumenbrights do using a 175 10k bulb on a tank 24" deep with a 4" sand bed

07/09/2008, 09:48 AM	#339
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	they will be fine. I run 175W 15K Iwasaki's in mine and see no need to change. Tank is 24"D and 24"T

07/09/2008, 09:50 AM	#340
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	Dave, you should be "ok" with adding another LB...If it doesnt cover the 30"D too well, just raise them a little bit higher. Keep in mind tho, thats getting close to the limit of what the minis can do as far as spread goes.

07/09/2008, 02:25 PM	#342
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	Nice, sounds good.

07/12/2008, 09:18 PM	#344
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 987	So chalk one up for stupidity. Today I noticed I never removed the plastic from the top facet of the reflector. Its now be heat fused to the facet and will not come off. Anyone know if I contact coralvue or my vendor if I can order just one facet. It looks like if I remove some screws from the top that facet is removable. Thanks -- Joe

07/12/2008, 09:24 PM	#345
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	I wish they would have made the glass a little easier to remove. I removed the protective film on mine, but it was a pain in the butt. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

07/14/2008, 01:39 PM	#346
elvn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Seneca, NY (WNY) Posts: 431	I have a question about the lumen brights. My next tank is going in my basement and is on a tall stand, as well as being a 30" tall tank. This leaves only 18" from tank lip to ceiling (measured it), and probably about 19" to the overflows/waterline (guessing- didn't measure that). My tank/canopy are 60" long by 30" wide. I wanted to put three lumen brights across. My lights are 250w phoenix 14k DE pendant -- 400w mogul radium --- 250w 14k DE pendant Originally I was looking at the large lumenbright mogul reflector (Single-Ended, finished) for the middle but its 20"x20"x 9". The DE pendants are 16"x16"x 7". These would fit horizontally across the canopy at a total of 56" out of the 60" across that the canopy is. However even if I had the canopy at ceiling level, the lights would only be 9" above the lip and somewhere around 10" off the water for the mogul/SE one , and 10" / 11" off the water for the DE pendants. Even the mini moguls are the same dimensions as the DE pendants so they wouldn't be helping much height wise. Do you think the lumenbrights would be worth it in this setup? Being 'only' 11" --- 9" --- 11" above the water due to the depth of the reflectors?

07/14/2008, 01:43 PM	#347
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	are you talking about 11-9" from bulb to water?

07/14/2008, 02:00 PM	#348
elvn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Seneca, NY (WNY) Posts: 431	Now that you mention it, I guess I was going by the reflector dimensions and not the distance to the bulb. That is the distance from the water line to the bottom of the reflector. Can anyone tell me what the distance from the bottom of the reflector to the bulb on the large SE pendant and the DE pendants is? My tank lip to ceiling is 18" , to water line prob 19" or so.

07/14/2008, 02:07 PM	#349
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	I don't have those dimensions and RC seems a little slow today. I would give Mike at Reef Specialty a call and he'll be able to answer all your questions. 773-851-3861

07/14/2008, 02:18 PM	#350
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	On the larger reflectors, it is 4" from the base of the reflector to the bulb. We had a similar conversation about this two pages ago with almost the exact same dimensions.