Reflectors??

[110galreef]

Can you buy something that will work at a parts store like HD or Lowe's? I have a hamilton 48" setup that has the white internal reflector.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...t=152086&cat=4&

The first one here.

I'd imagine a polished one of some sort would help out a bit. Should have gotten it when I bought it. Oh well you learn as you go.

Or are there any direct fits for this light or any ideas as to what will work?

[Callous1]

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...2635&ast=&key=
I just ordered this for my DIY light hood though I haven't received it yet.

Might fit in your Hamilton hood though?

[Poseidon]

Actually the white reflector is not all that bad. It gives a more dispersed spread that covers a larger area. The polished DO reflect more light, but it is more directional. In a 2' tank I think the white actaully helps even out any "hot spots". I don't know that spending the money on a better reflector will have a significant impact on the tank, in this application anyway.

[110galreef]

Well I have a 5' tank and only 48" hood with 2- 175w MH and 2-48" VHO's. So just keep the white reflector and just upgrade to 250w MH's then.

[Poseidon]

OOPS sorry I missed that part, the page you linked to had 2' fixtures. I think the upgade to 250's would be a good one.

[110galreef]

I fixed the link....I must have copy & pasted the wrong one.

So stay with the white then....

[Poseidon]

unless you are going for every possible lumen into the tank then yes the white will be fine. If you are going to buy a whole new fixture then sure get a polished reflector, but if you are going to use what you have then stick with it.

[110galreef]

I am definitly sticking with the Hood, just going to upgrade the ballast & bulbs. Everything has seemed to be doing fine with the 175's thus far, just want a little more intense, maybe a little brighter as well.

Would getting just a reflector for the MH's make sense?

Thanks for your input.

[Poseidon]

Nah, I think you will be fine. If you do decide to go with a polished reflector you should do the whole thing.

In photgraphy I use white reflectors all the time, the light is less "harsh" and white does reflect quite a bit.

[Reefland]

Since your trying to cover a 5' tank with a 4' system, you might try to figure out a way to keep the 175's running too! You could go with the 250's closer to the center and the 175's on the outer edges and have a really nice lighting system for your tank.

[110galreef]

I thought about running three bulbs and putting the two currently on the edge of the hood and one in the middle. But want to keep the upkeep cheaper. That is why I panned on 2- 250's vs three bulbs.

How about 2 175 & one 250???

2-175, 2- 250's, and 2- 110 VHO's is way too many bulbs and watts for me.

[Reefland]

Yeah you could go with 2-175's on the end and 1-250 in the middle. What I would be interested in doing in your case is getting the bulbs positioned better over the 5' tank. Oh and you'll need to be careful with the one in the center if you have a plastic or acrylic center brace.