what kind of reflector is best?

[stoney1118]

i am going to run three 250w halides over my 180 bc i already have two ballast and retro fit reflectors. ive seen theese lumenbright type reflectors and im just wondering if they are that much better?

 

[mockery]

This is up to some debate but here goes what I have learned.

LumenMax Elite makes a column of light.
LumenBright spreads the light very well.
LumenArc was too big for my needs so I did not look into it.
Batwing/retro are ok but you loose a lot of par.

Search Advanced Aquarist. If I'm not mistaken they have a pretty good writeup.

 

[stoney1118]

ok cool, i guess what i really wanna know is, will those type reflectors really make that much diff? im just using regular retro fit reflectors now and they seem to do fine! and theyre like 1/3 of the price. i just wanted to see if there was that much diff in those two types!

 

[thanhreef]

Here is a link:

 

[glxtrix]

Mockery;459210 wrote: This is up to some debate but here goes what I have learned.

LumenMax Elite makes a column of light.
LumenBright spreads the light very well.
LumenArc was too big for my needs so I did not look into it.
Batwing/retro are ok but you loose a lot of par.

Search Advanced Aquarist. If I'm not mistaken they have a pretty good writeup.

Got the LB and LME mixed up. LumenBright makes a column, but spread slightly as you raise them. Very aggressive reflector. LumenMax spread better. LumenArc spread nice as well, and are a lower profile reflector making smaller hood applications an easier fit.

 

[drnecropolis]

The big issue I have read about with Lumenarc is that they spread the light out so much, they are producing garbage PAR readings compared to some of the newer types of reflectors..

Here's my take on the others..
I love the way Lumenbrites look.. If I was hanging them, that would be my #1 choice.. Mounting in a canopy though, I would go for the lumenmax elite..

In fact.. The only reason I don't switch to the LB over LME's is I already have 2 of the 3 I need for the new tank..

 

[markl]

Im buying LME

 

[glxtrix]

DrNecropolis;459294 wrote:
Here's my take on the others..
I love the way Lumenbrites look.. If I was hanging them, that would be my #1 choice.. Mounting in a canopy though, I would go for the lumenmax elite..

You sir are correct! If you have a tall canopy or no canopy at all....LB's are an amazing option. I mean, I run 175W bulbs and with the correct bulbs was producing PAR that beat a lot of 250's and some 400's. LME, yes much better light spread at a lower height. We're fortunate now that there are some great reflectors out that will work with just about any situation now

 

[stoney1118]

i have a tall canopy so ill take some mesurements and see what my options are. thanks alot for the input !