Lumin arc reflector...will it work for me?

[EnderG60]

I have a 58g tank right now with a 400w SE 20k xm, on a magnetic balast, and a spider type reflector.

Im debating getting a luminarc reflector, but I have a few questions.

Right now the top of my canopy is 12" over the top of the tank, at that height would the luminarc cover the 36x18 foot print of the tank well?

Also right now my hood is devided into two parts seperated by a sheet of acrylic. the top houses the bulbs and is cooled by 5 fans(two in two out and one blowing right over the halide bulb) and the bottom which also has 3 fans(one in one out and one blowing over the water right under the hallde) Despite the evaporation this keeps the tank temps between 80-82 pretty well.

If I were to get the luminarc I would have to ditch the devided sections and would not be able to have a fan blowing over the bulb itself. Are there other options to cool the lights with this reflector?

[EnderG60]

anyone?

[mhurley]

Are you talking about the full Lumenarc or the mini Lumenmax?

I think 12" for the full Lumenarc is very tight and that you wont get the spread you need. I have LFS by me that use Lumenarc's suspended 3' above their prop tanks to get the full spread (400W bulbs too).

I have Lumenarcs now and they are big...If you want a cooling option, you can buy the "A/C Kit" which basically allows you to hook up 4" drying venting to it and blow air in (or suck it out). That's what I do with mine currently.

[EnderG60]

damn thats what i figured...what is the luminarc mini? is that for DE bulbs?

[mhurley]

They could be an option for you:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=810830

[EnderG60]

wow thats a long thread...can anyone summerize and tell me the price and what height is needed for a 3 ft coverage?

[mwood]

I'd try the super sun by sunlightsupply for that footprint. With a lumenarc you'll wast light out the front and back. With a super sun you'll direct more light into the tank rather than on the wall and floor. You'll want to run it parallel rather than perpendicular.


http://www.sunlightsupply.com/horticulture/images/products/prod_refl_h_supersun_lrg.jpg

[mwood]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/images/mar2004/fig5-supersun4-top.gif

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/images/mar2003/fig16-diamond-light-top.gif

Here's the graphs on the light output of the two reflectors. You can see the super sun fits a 36+18 footprint better.