Optional AC Kit with Lumenarc Reflectors

[bleedingthought]

I know I've asked a million questions about the reflectors and even accidentally spread a little drama/nonrumor. But I'm finally ordering the reflectors this week (and because of a lot of conflicts between PGS and other places that sell the reflectors, I'm ordering directly from them at www.lumenarclighting.com )

Question is, I wanted to know if anyone here has their running with the optional AC/Vent kit. It's an extra $50 and here's the info on it:

The fan kit comes with glass, two vent adapters, two baffles(to cover the holes on the inside) and specially drilled holes on the reflector to attach the vent kit. The idea is that you have two holes in each reflector so you can vent air in and out. This way you can connect all three reflectors together with 4 inch ducting, then cool all three with one fan.

The number one fear I have with the new system is the temperature being too high. I'm just trying to figure out how this setup will compare to just having fans blow between the reflectors and the water surface to carry heat out from the bulbs. The kit would end up being an extra $150 on top of the already high $500. 8O

What do you guys think/suggest?

 

[Len]

My suggestion: unless you're going to route the hot air out of the canopy, there is little point. Any fan will also need replacing every year or so. Cooling the bulb reportedly increases the life and will alter the spectrum for sure, but I personally would just cool the interior space of the cabinet rather then the vented reflectors.

 

[Anonymous]

Not to mention that's 2- 4 inch holes worth of reflector that you're chopping out.

 

[bleedingthought]

Ok. Well, there's a dedicated fish room. So, the area between the lights and the room is open. I thought about drawing air from the room (which will be air conditioned) through the lights and out of the house. But that would be a good bit of work, money, and effort. If I can skip that, it'd be nice.

You think a fan just to push the hot air out from above the tank would be just as good or close enough?

 

[trido]

I would PM Louey and ask him how he like having his set up that way in his fish room. I seem to remember pics of them all vented together.

 

[Anonymous]

yep, I tied them together and vented the hot air out through a dryer vent in the wall.

The AC kit doesn't take any of the reflector away. The hole on the inside has a raised cover over it. The air flows underneath the raise reflector panel. Looking up from the bottom, you can't even tell the AC kit is there.

I don't know about the cool air affecting the life or spectural quality of a bulb.

I do know that it gets the hot air out of your house. I run 4-400's over my 300 and have no chiller. I use a window AC and keep the room at 75. Tank rarely gets above 78.

I bought a centrifugal fan from Pacific Garden supply (where I got my reflectors. I blow air through all 4 reflectors then out through the vent. My fan has worked perfectly for 3 years.

I personally like the AC kit and recommend them.

What size and how many reflectors are you looking for? I just might have four for sale since I am breaking down my reef.

Louey

 

[bleedingthought]

yep, I tied them together and vented the hot air out through a dryer vent in the wall.

The AC kit doesn't take any of the reflector away. The hole on the inside has a raised cover over it. The air flows underneath the raise reflector panel. Looking up from the bottom, you can't even tell the AC kit is there.

I don't know about the cool air affecting the life or spectural quality of a bulb.

I do know that it gets the hot air out of your house. I run 4-400's over my 300 and have no chiller. I use a window AC and keep the room at 75. Tank rarely gets above 78.

I bought a centrifugal fan from Pacific Garden supply (where I got my reflectors. I blow air through all 4 reflectors then out through the vent. My fan has worked perfectly for 3 years.

I personally like the AC kit and recommend them.

What size and how many reflectors are you looking for? I just might have four for sale since I am breaking down my reef.

Louey

Louey, I was going to PM you about you selling reflectors!

I'm going to be using 3 on my main tank and 1 on the frag tank. The 3 on the main tank were going to be the LumenarcIII and I was thinking the mini for the frag tank. But if you can make me a package deal for all four, I'll change my plans! Shoot me a PM if you get the chance.