Retrofit reflector question

[Tab28]

I have been looking at reflectors for my canopy and there are alot. I see several different types but one thing comes to mind and hope others can inform me better. The basic bat wing type to me, seems that alot of light would be loss since there is no reflector materical on the ends. There are several that are more geometric in design and this would capture the light from the ends as well and reflect it down. But I see many people have these bat wing types. The price is higher, but have seem several that are less than $30 more than the ba wing style. Is there a real benefit of these more higher priced shapes? Or save your money and go with the old and true? Also some have a hammered look finish, which seems just acts as a disco ball effect but why do some have a frosted matt look, which differs from the common mirror look?

 

[tinkerman]

It would help to know alittle more info. Tank size, room in canopy height. I wish I had kept my old parabolic reflecter as just got a par meter and did a test on tank with radiums, reeflex cude m80 ballasts, and lumenbright reflecters. Posted a pic in the sps forum if you want to check it out. More info would help to give recemendations.

 

[Tab28]

The tank is 48"x24"x24". The canopy is adds another 16" in height. Right now I have (2) 250 MH/DE with (4) T5's. The MH I am looking to replace with new ballasts and getting SE's. I was condidering LED for a about a day ago but I have read several articles from long term users that changed that. Anyway the inner canopy room is 24" however I really only have maybe 16" since the T5's take up about the rest of the space. I may be able to move the T5's closer together to get an inch or so more. Most SE reflectors I saw are pretty wide. Except some bat wing types so I thought that was my only route. Then I saw a few square parbolic types of a small size (less than 18"). All sides were angled and seems it would reflect more light into the tank. But I could be wrong and wasting money if the open ends of the bat wing type are fine.

 

[tinkerman]

With the height of your canopy I would say go with lumenmax or lumenarc these if I remember right have good spread when hung lower. If you are looking for more punch than spread you could do lumenmax elite. I think you might run into isues with heat using lumenbrights, they say that 14" is the least you want to hang them. I can decrease heat by a couple degrees by hanging them higher, 2-4 degrees. The lumenarc and lumenbrights are the 2 I see recomended the most. Not sure about the cabo sun, Didn't find any par charts when i was researching when I upgraded.