MH Reflectors

[sunflashx]

What is the preferable type of reflector to use for a SE MH lamp? I haven't seen anything really mention it. As far as the simple DIY reflectors with sockets go the "spiderlights" model looks to be preferable to me.

Any thoughts?

[kevinpo]

I like the PFO reflectors because they also hold VHO or PC lamps and are predrilled making them very easy to install.

HTH,
Kevin

[sunflashx]

I don't seem to see any that hold MH and VHO. They have a full hood setup that mounts 2 MH and 2 VHO, but not just a plain reflector/socket assembly.

Different manufacturer perhaps?

Please post a link.

[kevinpo]

Here is the link with pictures,
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_lt_mh_p...fo.asp?CartId=

HTH,
Kevin

[reefhead]

I use the reef optics reflectors by sunlight supply.

if you have the room, try the Diamond Luminacr III

http://www.coralfragz.com/clams.html

joe

[kevinpo]

Here's a picture of mine. The 24" model is on the left and the 36" model is on the right. Notice how the VHO's are mounted lower than the halide bulb.

HTH,
Kevin

[naser]

kevin i hope you dont have a wife witht hose reflectors hanging out like that... god my girl would kill me...

[kevinpo]

Naser,
I only removed the cover for the photo (when my wife was at work ) The room becomes so bright you can't se the tank very well with the cover off. Also my air exchange system doesn't work with the tank unsealed.

Kevin

[naser]

so you top is like a clip on side? id like to see the top and how it goes together.. my first tank had reflectors hanging down from the ceiling but it was in a spare room and she still hated it.. now its in my kitchen. no room for error...

[kevinpo]

Naser,
It's a 2" thick piece of insulation from Home Depot that is covered on one side with a silver foil and the other by a white plastic film. It just sets on the edge of the tank and the ceiling. Before I lost my job I had a cabinet guy come in and quote putting 2 flip-up panel doors that would be held open my magnets in the ceiling when working in the tank. I was going to attach the foam to the inside of the doors for insulation and to prevent splashes and moisture from getting to the wood. So it looks a little ghetto now but I will have all the cabinet work done someday.

All the openings in the stand are sealed in the same manner. It performs 3 functions:
1) Sound proofing.
2) Insulation.
3) Seals the area around the tank so I can bring cool air in from outside and exhaust the hot air aound the tank. I have a 180 cfm intake fan but a 400 cfm exhaust fan. This creates a slight negative pressure around the tank and prevents any odors or heat from escaping into the room.

Regards,
Kevin

[naser]

it works though... seems easy to remove and replace.

[sunflashx]

That reflector looks like it would work quite well.

I really like the way MtnDewMan's tank looks. Do you think I will be dissapointed running only 2 36" VHO's instead of 3 48" like he is running?

[kevinpo]

The wattage is very close so there shouldn't be much difference (95W vs. 110W).

Regards,
Kevin

[valid]

kevin -
would you comment on the heat distribution below your 36" reflector?
i'm thinking about getting some, but they would overlap my tanks' acrylic top bracing by 3.25" at each end - my openings in the tank tops are 22.5x29.5 - i'm wondering if the heat below the socket portions (as opposed to that portion below the bulbs themselves) would be low enough to avoid risk of heat dammage to the acrylic?

[kevinpo]

valid,
Are you plannig to mount 2 bulbs in the reflector? Are they going to be 400Wers? I think it will be OK but I will check according to your dimensions when the lights come on this morning. Mine also overlaps the opening some.

Regards,
Kevin

[valid]

Originally posted by kevinpo
valid,
Are you plannig to mount 2 bulbs in the reflector? Are they going to be 400Wers? I think it will be OK but I will check according to your dimensions when the lights come on this morning. Mine also overlaps the opening some.

Regards,
Kevin

yup & possibly. tia.
i might be able to mount the reflector at an angle across the opening (rather than straight right to left) in order to pick up a LITTLE extra length, but i'm not sure it would look right. your thoughts?

[kevinpo]

valid,
Mine overlaps 5" on each end of the opening. Neither the center brace nor the end lip feel very hot. Maybe 85-90F. I do have a fan blowing across the top of the tank but it is 8' away at the other end of the tank. I used to have a bulb right over one of my center braces and for that I just put another piece of plastic over the center brace and separated them with 3/8" spacers, one at each end. The heat is from the IR wavelength and is adsorbed by the top sheet while the brace remains cool in comparison. I couldn't leave my hand on the top piece (135F+) but the underneath piece was 75-80F.

If you put the reflector diagonally some of the light from each bulb will be striking the glass more than the corals. This will also encourage algae growth on the glass. My tank is 44" wide (front to back) so with a 24-36" light spread very little of the light hits the sides of the tank directly.
Note: Corals will still be able to use the light that strikes the sides of the tank as much of it bounces back into the tank. Only some of it passes through the tank sides due to the angle at which it hits.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: My bulb is 8" above the tank top and 9" above the water surface.

[valid]

If you put the reflector diagonally some of the light from each bulb will be striking the glass more than the corals.

i just figured out what you were saying. actually what i had meant by "diagonally" was to leave the reflector in a horizontal orientation but rotate it so that it crosses this tank opening from corner to corner rather than side to side.

[kevinpo]

Valid,
That's how I understood you. Doing that would bring both bulbs closer to the sides of the tank if you were going from parallel to the front of the tank to diagonal.

Regards,
Kevn