Lumenarc stealth DE's

[chew*]

Anyone using these?

comments if any?

Thinking of swapping out my reef optix 3's

I'm wondering if i would see higher par readings.

 

[JohnK]

I've got a pair. IMO they are nice, but I doubt that they show the same output gains as the SE style lamps. I say this because the SE luminarcs have almost no interruption in the light reflection, whereas with the DE luminarcs the lamp sockets seem to get in the way somewhat.

That said, they DO pour out the light and spread it very nicely over the coverage area. IMO much more balanced spread than other DE reflectors I've seen or used, less hot spot right in the center, much more light to the edges. I'd reccomend them for a 24" wide tank, but probably not for a 12" or 18" wide tank.

One other note, it is a bit of a PITA to change bulbs and or remove the glass sheilds for cleaning. You need to remove a whole side of the outer reflector shroud to get the sheild out, and lining the screw holes back up for reassemble is tricky.

Overall, I'd say they are very nice for the right set up, but not every set up.

 

[JohnK]

And another pic assembled in inner hood with VHO's and 150W center lamp.

 

[smithcreek]

I bought two of them for the tank I'm setting up. They better work well, because so far I've been pretty unimpressed with Pacific Garden Supply. When I opened the box one of them had been damaged in shipping. A panel was bent and the powder coating was chipped. When I called to request a replacement panel they suggested I just bend it back. I told them I paid for a new pendant, I want one that isn't screwed up. They finally agreed and sent out a new panel. When the new panel arrived it was scratched up and one of the nuts that is spot welded to the panel was missing so the panel is useless. I've left two messages so far but not heard back about getting it replaced. Lumen-Max makes the same pendant, but in an easier to service outer shell, you may want to check those out.

 

[JohnK]

That stinks.

I didn't have any problems like yours, but they did seem a little disorganized with my order (confusion and delays in packing and sending out my pendants).

In the end, I wasn't overly impressed with the fit and finish of the reflectors, but I'm perfectly happy with the performance.

I hope they work things out for you.

jk

 

[smithcreek]

That stinks.

I didn't have any problems like yours, but they did seem a little disorganized with my order (confusion and delays in packing and sending out my pendants).

In the end, I wasn't overly impressed with the fit and finish of the reflectors, but I'm perfectly happy with the performance.

I hope they work things out for you.

jk

I got that same disorganized vibe. I chalked it up to the fact that most of their lights are used for hydroponics and maybe they were doing some sort of product testing/evaluation.

 

[chew*]

Yah I've looked at the lumen max but the lumenarcs seem to have a better reflector.

Hello lights sells them now so getting them in good condition shipped shouldn't be a problem, if it is they usually have great customer service.

Thx for the heads up on bulb changes.

can't really compare these to the Se's not yet, they don't make a 19x19 reflector for DE.

In the end whatever i get will go on my 120 oceanic, unfortunately the eurobrace opening isn't large enough for the full size SE.

 

[JohnK]

"I got that same disorganized vibe. I chalked it up to the fact that most of their lights are used for hydroponics and maybe they were doing some sort of product testing/evaluation."

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking! (Phish tape playing in the background, lava lamp, dreadlocks, veggie burrito's.......)


On the luminarcs vs luminmax's?
FWIW, they are made by different companies, the luminmax being the follower with the ironically similar name and design???? (sound framiliar, "new product thread) )

Whatever the politics - they at least appear to be very similar in design but the detials seem way different. The liminmax's may focus the light better for a narrower tank with their thinner design. The luminarcs may spread the total light more evenly and effectively over a wider area. Fit and finish of the product, I don't know since I haven't seen the luminmax's in person??

 

[chew*]

Fit and finish isn't bad, I would say lumenarcs reflector job looks more seamless. I would say lumenmax's external construction is beefier. Very easy to change the bulb on the lumenmax in that sense its as easy as a reef optix 3.

I'm concerned more with par as I get about 40 on the bottom left and right sides of my tank. If i can get more par on the sides then that's what im looking for.

Basically my goal is to get comparable growth of 10k with 14k bulbs by higher intensity par.

 

[JohnK]

I like your goal, but I don't think you'll acheive it

Big question,
how wide is your tank? IMO it's luminarcs for a 24" and Luminmax's for anything less wide.

Assuming you get them in one peice (local retailer? there is/was one for luminarc's) the "fit and finish" on the luminarcs isn't perfect if you look at up close, and every 6 months when it's service time - but from 2 feet away you don't notice any ugliness and the performance rocks IMO.

Again I haven't used or seen in person, the luminmax's so I just can't say, but in general sun supp usually puts out a pretty nice pendant.

Other big question,
How would you rate your priorities on performance/light output vs look of the fixture? (In the end, I'd bet that if it is a 24" wide tank, the luminarc's would put the most light into the tank).

 

[chew*]

In the end you build the system to look at the corals not the quality of the powdercoating on a light fixture.

Not a huge deal to me. I should probably wait till I get the 120 gallon running however according to your 24" observation. Currently i am lighting a 65g 18" wide with 2 250 de's in reefoptix 3's.

I have no clue if my goal will work, I refuse to sacrifice the color for growth though. I get decent growth right now considering, just the far sides near the bottom are useless for higher light corals.