Lighting reflectors - 60x30 tank

[Joshua]

Anybody have these? I'm looking to see what kind of footprint they may have over a 24" tall tank. My tank is 60" long and 30" wide so I need a good spread. Thinking of putting 3 of them over it running front-to-back instead of the normal sideways mounting. Other options would be 2x 400w lumenarcs.

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1401

[Fish4life]

i would go with the lumenarcs. Well worth the investment IMO.

Cheers,

Kurt

[lt1z28]

Go with the lumenarcs. I have the small reflectors shown on the link and the spread is nowhere near the spread of lumenarcs.

[Joshua]

Thanks for the tips yall.


Go with the lumenarcs. I have the small reflectors shown on the link and the spread is nowhere near the spread of lumenarcs.

What's the coverage footprint on those?

[captexas]

I have one of the DE reflector setups you have in the link on my 45g. I went with it because I didnt' have room for the bigger SE reflector setup or the lumenarcs. Overall, I wish I had room for the bigger reflector as this one doesn't distribute the light very well. Of course if you put 3 over the length of 60 inches like you posted, it would probably be much better than my 1 over 36inches.

[captexas]

They have the lumenarc II stealth? for DE bulbs on Hellolights. It says the reflector measures 14.5 x 14.5 x 7 inches.

[Joshua]

Hey cap, that one you have longways over the 36 inches, how well does it cover from front of the tank to back? Since I'll be turning them so the long portion would cover the 30" that would leave 20" for coverage over the 60" length of the tank for each of the 3. I'd rather stick with 250's, if I get lumenarcs I'll be putting only 2 over the tank so will likely end up with 400's. Those reflectors are also listed at 3" height, so would save me a few inches of canopy height as well.

[captexas]

Mine is mounted length-wise over the 36in. My 45g is only 18inches from front to back and it does ok. If you are in the area and want to stop by to check it out in person, let me know. I'm usually home in the evenings by 6pm.

[Joshua]

Cool, you at the same house as before?

[brewercm]

I agree with Chris, I'm using three of the ones posted and want to change to the smaller footprint lumenarcs when I get the chance and the $$'s.

[Joshua]

OK, so do yall think two of the Lumenarcs and 400 watt lamps are enough to cover 60x30 tank?

[captexas]

Yeah, I'm still at the same place, 1604/Judson.

[Dozer]

Josh- if going with mogul base is a possibility, my personal favorite setup is LumenMax reflector with 400W XM 20000K bulb and M59 ballast. May not be what you're looking for, but I just thought I would throw it out there...

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/product.cfm?sid=C44FD916E7B9D1EF9CA5C61AB7E35C27&p=964&cs=products%2Ecfm%3Fsid%3DC44FD916E7B9D1EF9CA5C61A B7E35C27%26c%3D23%26kys%3D%26pgi%3D1

[Joshua]

Thanks, but I won't touch sunlight supply with a ten foot pole. That lamp and ballast combo is good though? Thinking about going 400 watt DE, anybody make a good lamp for that?

[hobogato]

im sure bill will chime in on the 400 watt DE, but i know he used to run em and switched to SE because (i think) of the limited bulb choice.

[Dozer]

I don't really have much experience with 400W DE's. For SE I like the XM's. Yes, that lamp and ballast combo (XM 400W 20000K and M59 ballast) is very good in my opinion. Based on results I've seen and read about, I don't personally feel it sacrifices TOO much growth (if any in some cases) and I love the coloring. Here's an article you may find interesting:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/pdf/AdvancedAquarist-2008-03.pdf

[LoneStar]

Yup for a 400w SE, it was really hard finding different bulbs on the market. I tried to find different ones to compare but always came up empty handed or with a really short list.