Does this reflector exist?

[cr500_af]

I'm planning the lighting for the "someday" big tank upgrade. What I want to have is some high quality SE reflectors, preferably Lumenarc/Lumenmax/Lumenbright etc. They don't necessarily need to be finished on the exterior.

It seems that "standard" is for a MH reflector to light a 24x24 inch area.

Is there a reflector made that is designed to cover more width? If there were a reflector that would cover, say, 24 deep x 32 wide, then I could light the 8' tank with 3x400w lamps. This would save substantially on running 4x250w lamps, which is the backup plan. I would like to avoid achieving this by raising the lights high off the water, so that I keep strong PAR numbers.

I realize the energy cost of 3x400w is more than 4x250w... but when you factor in cost of the equipment and cost of replacement bulbs, the 400w setup would save me some pretty decent money.

 

[davisju1]

I think that Sunlight Supply make some larger reflector.If you can't find what you need i might be able to draw you up some in cad and make some patterns.

 

[mockery]

What about this type of reflector?

Stolen from Ender60's build

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His tank is 72x36x27 and lit by 3 400 watt

 

[johnr2604]

I do believe sunlight supply came out with a rectangular reflector a while back. I'll check tomorrow.

 

[cr500_af]

Thanks John. And, did you ever get those filter socks? If you did, I'll get them. If not, I found two more so I'm not in real need right now.

Andy, I had thought about a mover, but this will be a DT and I'd really rather it be fully lit all the time. For a frag system, I love those things.
Besides, it is going in the master bedroom, and no matter how small the noise from the motor, the less I have the better off I am. I should have no noise other than the overflows and powerheads (assuming I use powerheads). Can't have tank noise distracting me from my husbandly duties.

 

[glxtrix]

The Large LB's apparently cover a 36" area, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[johnr2604]

glxtrix;530252 wrote: The Large LB's apparently cover a 36" area, if I'm not mistaken.

I agree, I'm lighting a 4x5 ft tank with two of them pretty well

 

[cr500_af]

The trick is, I don't want all that light "spill" over the front and back... It needs to be focused pretty close to 2' in one direction; the tank is 96x24x24.

 

[acroholic]

I am lighting my 300 gallon (72" x 36" x 27") with three LB Large pendants 18" off the water surface.

 

[cr500_af]

But aren't the large LBs actually physically wider than the tank? They've got to fit in a 24" deep canopy.
I know, I'm making this too difficult... LEDs are out of the budget, so I guess the next step is you guys are going to tell me I need to go with T5s, right? :nono:

 

[smoothie]

-Not trying to sound off my rocker but do you need the tank blasted from end to end with halides? I know light intesity would be off but why not use the 3 in the middle for sps and lps and have the ends lit for softies with t5's. You could play around and match the color.
-Even better--Go with the 4x250 and have the end 2 run a shorter photo period than the middle 2 and once again have the corals that need more light in the center
-At 1050w you can even stagger 3x250's and have 2x150's in between.
I need a drink to calm my brain. Too much coffee

 

[acroholic]

cr500_af;530265 wrote: But aren't the large LBs actually physically wider than the tank? They've got to fit in a 24" deep canopy.
I know, I'm making this too difficult... LEDs are out of the budget, so I guess the next step is you guys are going to tell me I need to go with T5s, right? :nono:

LB Larges are 20" x 20" x 8". I think John has one at ATA. Go do a trace of the bottom on cardboard and test fit it.

 

[eric b]

Barry,
I made some stretched LA styled for Colin. I have a pattern and can stretch it to whatever dimension you need....I don't have the photos but it is the style on Robb's frag system just stretched longer one way. Here is my LB I made for my system and it is wider than standard 20" for my 180 gallon build.
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<legend> Attached files </legend>

 

[lilrobb]

Barry,

I have both a LumenBright and LumenArc you can test fit...

 

[enderg60]

get in touch with dave(grouper therapy) he can make you reflectors like mine(which work GREAT BTW) or any size you want.

 

[acroholic]

So Barry, between Eric, Ender, Dave Grouper therapy, and Rob, it sounds like you DO have some options!!!

 

[cr500_af]

Apparently! Thanks everybody!