Lumen Max Elite Reflectors Question

[Reefers Cove]

Does anyone know if Lumenmax Elite Double Ended reflector 250W can hold 400w DE bulbs?
im switching to 400w dimmable ballast but i already have this reflectors that i want to keep...
thanks!!

 

[Reefers Cove]

any input guys?

 

[gcarroll]

from another forum

In short the answer is absolutely no. Your 250 watt lumenmax elite reflector will only work with 250 watt bulbs.
The 400 watt DE is a non standardized bulb in the lighting community. This means that there are no guidlines regarding size of the bulb. There are a couple different sized (length) 400w DE bulbs out there. Because of this, none of the major lighting companies invested any resources in developing products for this bulb choice. Your best bet would be to sell those reflectors and go with the SE reflectors. There is a much greater choice of bulbs for SE than for DE in both 250 watt and 400 watt. The 400 watt DE has never been a bulb that I would recomend.

 

[JNye]

i'm sure you could retrofit the appropriate socket for your bulb into the reflector.

i'm not sure if the bulb fits in the 250 socket properly if its safe to fire different wattage bulbs thru it. PaulErik could prolly answer this.

 

[gdwats]

You can get a Lumen Bright For 400W here: It has an adjustable socket assembly with a 8ft. cord attached, which allows for 175w, 250w, 400w, 600w, and 1000w lamps. The Lumen Bright is available in a mini or large size as well as a SE pendant or FC2 base DE pendant. Each pendant has a black matte finish for a clean look.
Lumen Bright Reflectors | Reef Tanks | Aquarium Lighting | SaltwaterEddies.com

Price can not be beat!

 

[amay121]

Lumenbrights are SE ONLY. OP is asking about DE.

 

[Reefers Cove]

thanks Greg, jnye, gdwats and amay121.... im gonna have to sell these reflectors,
any recomendation in getting my new reflectors?
i will get single ended for sure..
my tank dimentions...
58x30x30"

 

[amay121]

Good luck.

For single ended bulbs. You probably can get away with 2 lumenbrights or lumenmax elites. With the LBs, you may have to raise them a little to get a little better coverage though.

 

[Reefers Cove]

thanks amay121, i dont think i can go no more than 12" since i have 2 t5's on each side.

 

[Hahnmeister]

I would question why anyone in their right mind would want to run 400 watt DE bulbs.

FYI: while there is good reason to run 150 & 250 watt DE bulbs because that is the format for HQI (higher pressure, pulse start, longer life, higher quality) in those wattages (with a very very short list of some 250wattSE's that are HQI), 400 watt HQI's are only seen in the SE format. 400 watt DE's were an attempt to cash in on the perception that DE bulbs are better, but its more than just the socket. Many 400 watt DE's are of poorer quality than their probe start 400 watt cousins... sheep in wolves clothing really.