New Lumen Bright Reflector. ... any info on them

[bubbletip2]

Originally posted by seawandrr
Good to know... so it sounds like no issues, especially with how high you can mount the LB's, with heat damage to the acrylic?

The point of them is to maximize light even when raised up high - I don't see this as being any more hot than vho's or T5' 4" off the acrylic brace. In fact the VHO's and T5's may be hotter.

[nickts40]

How do you clean the reflectors if you do 'splash' them? I got a few drops on the middle reflector after feeding the fish and flicking the water off my fingers back into the tank.

[bubbletip2]

Don't use anything abrasive or any cleaners - Mike of Reef Specialty feels the best method is to use the inside of a baby diaper and some water - it really works.

[JRaquatics]

Originally posted by bubbletip2
Don't use anything abrasive or any cleaners - Mike of Reef Specialty feels the best method is to use the inside of a baby diaper and some water - it really works.

That is what I use.

[melev]

Originally posted by RobynT
Do ballasts "burn out" very often? One thing that I was considering was the ability to plug in the lights into my Reefkeeper two (two available light spots.) Is there usually a cost savings to buying the dual ballast vs two singles? Also, is it preferable to buy the dimmable ballasts?

A dual ballast (at least PFO) is two ballasts in an alumimum box or case. After removing the screws, you can open it up to see the guts. If a part breaks, it can be replaced. I've fixed several single and dual ballasts over the years, usually replacing the capacitor.

Electronic ballasts are different though, in that they come in a smaller sleek casing. I've never opened one up, so I don't know what is replaceable.

Every ballast has its own cord. If you have a dual ballast, it should have two power cords that are each plugged into their own timer. Staggering lights should be easy to do.

You better double check to make sure your Reefkeeper 2 can handle 3 x 250w, plus all the other stuff you have plugged in. With the Aqua Controllers, they come with a DC-4 (for metal halides) and DC-8 (for all the other gear). The DC-4 is heavy duty to handle MH and/or Chiller loads, most likely rated for 20 amps, while the DC-8 is rated for 15 amps TOTAL.

Of course, if you plug a DC-4 into a 15 amp circuit, that might not help much. Especially if you use that circuit for a few other items.

I've not used a dimmable, but bubbletip2 has. He talked about why they were useful in his recent article:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-06/review/index.php

[melev]

Originally posted by chrissreef
Does anyone supply Starphire glass covers for NON pendants? I bought my reflectors b4 the LB pendants were available... and I really don't want splash spots on my NASA grade LB reflective surface!

If no, any tips on mounting a glass cover?

Hi Chris,

That was exactly what I was going to do. I contacted a local glass shop to purchase three 20" x 20" tempered Starfire glass pieces, and it was going to cost me $180. Plus I'd have to build some type of frame that would hang beneath the pendants. My plan was to leave a 1" gap so the heat could exit easily in that gap.

However, when I found the LB pendants already had the glass, I just sold my aluminum reflectors (that I'd used a whopping 5 hours) and replaced them with the ones you saw recently in this thread. Mike at www.reefspecialty.com got my order processed quickly, and I had them two or three days later.

I love the glass keeping them clean. It isn't starfire, I'm pretty sure. However, it is tempered, and out of my way.

FYI, each reflector probalby weighs 20 lbs due to the double wall construction and glass.

And someone just PM'd me to find out how hot they feel. I put my hand on the top of one for 20 seconds that had been on for 1.5 hours and it was barely warm to the touch. I could have left my hand on there forever. So heat isn't an issue with these pendants that appear to be sealed tight. They have vents cut into the black housing, which you can see in the images.

[chrissreef]

Thanks Marc... hmm, after all that trouble I went through mounting them too! hmm.

I'll have to think now... no way my ceiling can hold 20 more lbs - it's just sheetrock holding the pendantt in 4 places - no beams above the tank (steel/cement apartment building apparently). hmmm

Does anyone make "extreme heat" saran wrap =P

[naprestsleep]

Originally posted by chrissreef
Thanks Marc... hmm, after all that trouble I went through mounting them too! hmm.

I'll have to think now... no way my ceiling can hold 20 more lbs - it's just sheetrock holding the pendantt in 4 places - no beams above the tank (steel/cement apartment building apparently). hmmm

Does anyone make "extreme heat" saran wrap =P

My apt ceiling is pretty flimsy, but I bought some hooks with toggle bolts on then and they hold the large pendant up fine. I think they were rated to 25 or 30 lbs, and some are more.

[drstupid]

is the mini reflector sold for HQI use the pendant? it looks like it scanning hellolight's web site.

[JRaquatics]

Yes, the DE fixtures only come as the finished pendant.

[chrissreef]

Originally posted by naprestsleep
My apt ceiling is pretty flimsy, but I bought some hooks with toggle bolts on then and they hold the large pendant up fine. I think they were rated to 25 or 30 lbs, and some are more.

hehe, I'm not worried about the hooks... I'm worried about the ceiling falling =) but I'll look into this. maybe i'm worried to much about .0001 loss of light reflection from salt splash.

[giants4pc]

Just hooked mine up - individual coralvue ballasts with the 250 Reeflux 12k's. It is very bright - at the moment, a bit whiter than I would like having replaced 175's with 20k XM's. but I read this thread and spoke with Mike from Reefspecialty who I got them from - burn in will turn a little blue.

[humbugy]

Originally posted by giants4pc
Just hooked mine up - individual coralvue ballasts with the 250 Reeflux 12k's. It is very bright - at the moment, a bit whiter than I would like having replaced 175's with 20k XM's. but I read this thread and spoke with Mike from Reefspecialty who I got them from - burn in will turn a little blue.

Forgot a piece of plastic

[bubbletip2]

giants4pc,

Take the yellow wrapper off the top of the inside of the reflector before it is too late. You don't want to bake that on there.

[summer6]

After much researching between MH, T5's and combo units, I decided what I really wanted was the natural look that MH gives.
Luckily, I found this thread, and it's been quite educational for a MH newbie like me.
For my new tank in the works (4'x4'x2') i just ordered 4 large LB kits with the 12k reeflux bulbs from reef specialty.
Mike was great to talk with, very helpful, and even called me back 2x to let me know about the free shipping and not to bother with a dimmable ballast I'd ordered.
It's so great to have this forum to sort all of the options out. Thanks to all the posters who take the time (and the know how) to post all their data, pics etc.

[kuyatwo]

Originally posted by chrissreef
Does anyone supply Starphire glass covers for NON pendants? I bought my reflectors b4 the LB pendants were available... and I really don't want splash spots on my NASA grade LB reflective surface!

If no, any tips on mounting a glass cover?

chris i would think starphire would be to expensive. when i broke my l3 mini cover all the local dallas glass shops wanted $50 + for just plain square tempered glass.

talk to david varela in our dfwmas forums maybe he can hook you up on glass or has a idea on what you can do... maybe a long sheet of glass or acrylic that goes all the way across mounted on some type of shelving brackets

[summer6]

Originally posted by dja1980
PENDANT being the key word. It's possible that some people are confused that there is a pendant version and the original unfinished reflector available.

MH newbie question: I just ordered the LB retro kits, and they won't have glass shields. I'm not going to put the LB's in an enclosed canopy, but rather in a "floating" type canopy. Does this mean they should have the glass shields?

[summer6]

^^^ just realized the above statement doesn't make a lot of sense, so please just look at the question part of it.

[melev]

You don't need them if you are using SE (single ended mogul) bulbs. Glass just protects your expensive reflectors.

When I was shopping for glass, buying three pieces or one long one was the same price.

[Macimage]

summer6,

Why did Mike say not to get the dimmable ballasts?

Joyce

[JRaquatics]

In all reality the dimmable 250 ballast are an unnecessary extra cost on larger tank 100+gal. IMO At first I though it would be useful for many things and would be used. Truth is I have not touched them since I installed them. I can see dimmable ballasts being useful with 400 watters or 250s on smaller tanks because of how extremely powerful they can be in these cases.

I also can't see why everyone wants glass on the SE pendants. To protect the reflectors?... come on guys these are not parabolic reflectors at -8 inches above the water surface. Think about it guys, If you place glass in the reflectors you are cutting down the room inside your canopy and have the glass actually being parallel to and closer to the water surface increasing your chances for salt spray. Meaning you will have to clean the glass more often than not. I have had my reflectors up since November of 07 and have not yet cleaned them, nor do they need to be cleaned at this point. I guess it is as each your own but why add to your tanks maintenance?

[bubbletip2]

Originally posted by summer6
MH newbie question: I just ordered the LB retro kits, and they won't have glass shields. I'm not going to put the LB's in an enclosed canopy, but rather in a "floating" type canopy. Does this mean they should have the glass shields?

Marc is correct in saying that if you are using SE bulbs you really don't need the glass. It is really meant for the double ended bulbs. With these reflectors being mounted so high, I have not had any issues with salt spray. If I had to clean them 1x/ yr I don't think that is a big deal. I have many other things I have to do maintenance wise so again I don't see this as a big deal. For me I feel it is more to maintain the glass on the pendant as being at the bottom of the reflector you would have to clean them more often than the inside of the reflector. To each their own I guess. I have not had any loss of PAR based on the menial salt spray that does occur. With my old LumenArcs at 10"-11" I had to really clean them out after only one month or so of use before selling them. They were covered.

By having a floating canopy people are not going to see the reflector really so I would just stick with regular LB's. If you had them hanging on their own then maybe consider the pendants as they will look nicer. If they are not going to be seen, I think it is kind of expensive to pay $35-$45 extra for each pendant and then to have to pay the shipping on each too. Just my opinion.

As far as dimmable 250's, I am starting to feel in an SPS dominant tank that this maybe unnecessary unless you had a small shallow tank(20" deep or less) and could benefit from less par. Or if you were growing softies or something. If you have a 24" to 30" deep tank, dimming 250's may not provide enough PAR for really high light demanding coral or clams on the bottom of the tank. There is a risk here if you are not sure how much you are adjusting them. I think dimmables are more important for 400's as the increased PAR can be modified to best suit the situation. 400's are really strong. Without a PAR meter you really don't know how much you are dimming or overdriving them so you would be adjusting your lighting blindly and may take out too much light or may be overdriving them to the point of burning them out too fast. In my opinion if you want dimmables you should really have a PAR meter. Dimmable 250's are really a luxury and are probably not necessary for 90% of the tanks out there. I think this is what Mike was trying to convey. He is just not as long winded as me.

[JRaquatics]

What, are you trying to out do my post Jim? I think you could have typed in a couple more paragraphs.

[bubbletip2]

I was still writing when you posted. I had no idea you already answered the questions. And Jeremy, would you expect anything less...

[JRaquatics]

Originally posted by bubbletip2
I was still writing when you posted. I had no idea you already answered the questions. And Jeremy, would you expect anything less...

I would never expect anything less.
It was a little scary that you mentioned almost exactly what I stated, like you were reading my mind or something.