LumenMax Elite vs. Lumenarc Stealth

usfpaul82 · 02/24/2009, 10:03 AM

Which one do you guys think will provide more spread? canopy mounted with canopy lid being 12" from top of tank. 250w double end bulb.

Lumenarc Stealth HQI

http://www.aquacave.com/luminarc-ste...pply-1209.html

or

LumenMax Elite HQI

http://www.aquacave.com/lumenmax-eli...pply-2275.html

SWSaltwater · 02/24/2009, 10:15 AM

I like the lumenbrights a lot

ganjero · 02/24/2009, 10:22 AM

The question is how much spread do you need? the lumenarc will give you more spread, and the lumenmax elite more intensity. When you say 12", is that from the water to the bulb or to the top of the canopy? If its to the bulb, at that distance the lumenmax elite will cover and area of 16x16 with tons of PAR and 24x24 with good numbers. The lumenarc at the same distance could cover about 26x26 with even numbers.

usfpaul82 · 02/24/2009, 10:27 AM

12" to the top of the canopy, not bulb. I need to cover as much of a 65gallon as possible with 1 250w double end. 36"L

ganjero · 02/24/2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by usfpaul82
12" to the top of the canopy, not bulb. I need to cover as much of a 65gallon as possible with 1 250w double end. 36"L

Go with the lumenarc, but at that distance the sides ares still going to be dark. Why dont you do 2 reflectors and 175w bulbs?

cashyboy · 02/24/2009, 12:32 PM

Is that a 3 or 4 foot tank? I have seen where people cut holes in the top of the canopy to get the light up higher, the higher the reflector the more spread.

usfpaul82 · 02/24/2009, 01:32 PM

3 foot tank. I considered going with 2 x175w, but am afraid I will not get very much par at the bottom of a 24" deep tank. I am currently using a aqualight pro fixture that is housing the 250w. Either one of these reflectors should be better than this one hands down right? If i go with the lumenarc, the bottom of the reflector will be about 7" above the water line. Will it be really dark on the ends?

usfpaul82 · 02/24/2009, 06:12 PM

also, the lumenMan elite is 5" tall, the lumenarc stealth is 7" tall. wouldn't the shorted elite provide more light on the ends since it will be a few end a few inches higher than the stealth? Does that make a difference?

ganjero · 02/24/2009, 06:27 PM

it would be darker. The difference in coverage has to do more with the angles of the walls than the height of the reflector. The lumenmax is more focused like I mentioned before.

J.R.L. · 02/25/2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by usfpaul82
also, the lumenMan elite is 5" tall, the lumenarc stealth is 7" tall. wouldn't the shorted elite provide more light on the ends since it will be a few end a few inches higher than the stealth? Does that make a difference?

right thats why i say, if both are 14.5 X 14.5 inches and the height is what varies, then the lumenmax will have less angled facets and the lumenarc will have facets angled much more steeply

IMO the lumenmax will provide better spread and the lumenarc better intensity

ganjero · 02/25/2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.R.L.
right thats why i say, if both are 14.5 X 14.5 inches and the height is what varies, then the lumenmax will have less angled facets and the lumenarc will have facets angled much more steeply

IMO the lumenmax will provide better spread and the lumenarc better intensity

If you have had both you wouldnt say that, its not just an opinion its a fact. There are many other posts that discuss this and a few articles too. The way these reflectors are designed make the lumenarc better for spread and lumenmax more intensity.

If you go with one reflector use the lumenarc, if you go with 2 use the lumenmax and 175w bulb, youll get enough PAR to keep anything in there.

02/24/2009, 10:03 AM	#1
usfpaul82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 1,149	LumenMax Elite vs. Lumenarc Stealth Which one do you guys think will provide more spread? canopy mounted with canopy lid being 12" from top of tank. 250w double end bulb. Lumenarc Stealth HQI http://www.aquacave.com/luminarc-ste...pply-1209.html or LumenMax Elite HQI http://www.aquacave.com/lumenmax-eli...pply-2275.html __________________ 90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite

02/24/2009, 10:27 AM	#4
usfpaul82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 1,149	12" to the top of the canopy, not bulb. I need to cover as much of a 65gallon as possible with 1 250w double end. 36"L __________________ 90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite

02/24/2009, 01:32 PM	#7
usfpaul82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 1,149	3 foot tank. I considered going with 2 x175w, but am afraid I will not get very much par at the bottom of a 24" deep tank. I am currently using a aqualight pro fixture that is housing the 250w. Either one of these reflectors should be better than this one hands down right? If i go with the lumenarc, the bottom of the reflector will be about 7" above the water line. Will it be really dark on the ends? __________________ 90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite

02/24/2009, 06:12 PM	#8
usfpaul82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 1,149	also, the lumenMan elite is 5" tall, the lumenarc stealth is 7" tall. wouldn't the shorted elite provide more light on the ends since it will be a few end a few inches higher than the stealth? Does that make a difference? __________________ 90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite

02/24/2009, 10:15 AM	#2
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	I like the lumenbrights a lot

02/24/2009, 10:22 AM	#3
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	The question is how much spread do you need? the lumenarc will give you more spread, and the lumenmax elite more intensity. When you say 12", is that from the water to the bulb or to the top of the canopy? If its to the bulb, at that distance the lumenmax elite will cover and area of 16x16 with tons of PAR and 24x24 with good numbers. The lumenarc at the same distance could cover about 26x26 with even numbers.

02/24/2009, 12:32 PM	#6
cashyboy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 78	Is that a 3 or 4 foot tank? I have seen where people cut holes in the top of the canopy to get the light up higher, the higher the reflector the more spread.

02/24/2009, 06:27 PM	#9
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	it would be darker. The difference in coverage has to do more with the angles of the walls than the height of the reflector. The lumenmax is more focused like I mentioned before.