Light Shopping. Please help!

OCDP · #1 05-04-2006, 02:37 PM

Well, yet again I am thinking of upgrading lights. Does it ever end? Hopefully this is the last. I was going to go with an Aqualight Pro on my new 50g cube, but I have decided that I'd like to do 250w HQI instead.

My questions are... what's one of the better ballasts and pendants to use? Where's a good reliable, cheap (or fairly priced) online site to order from? I prefer to order in Canada, no US sites. Also, what kind of ballast would you use? I want to get a good 250w HQI setup.. I seen Will's (Willito) and I think he was using a 250w icecap in a PFO pendant.. with a 14k bulb.. It looked so awesome.

So, in a nutshell: What are good pendants and ballasts to choose from, Where would be best to order this from?

Thanks guys.
Scott

mr_alberta · #2 05-04-2006, 02:42 PM

A Sunlight supply Blue Wave 7 (dual M80 ballasts) in some Reef Optix 3++ pendants is a good choice. Another excellent pendant is the PFO mini pendant. If you want to go with SE bulbs on an M80 ballast, you can't beat the Lumenarc reflector (but it is HUGE) or the new Sunlight Supply Lumenmax (which has been getting really good reviews over on RC).

If you also want T-5's, you can try the Maristar fixtures by Sunlight Supply which use the Tek reflectors for the T-5 and the RO 3++ reflector for the MH.

Ocean Aquatics sells Sunlight Supply stuff, so there's a good place to start.

Also, PFO makes a really nice M80 ballast enclosure. I find it to be a little nicer than my Blue Wave ballast. Fit and finish seems better.

OCDP · #3 05-04-2006, 02:50 PM

Thanks ! I was looking at this on Ocean Aquatics.. and this looks to be pretty good?? Can anyone advise?? The price is pretty decent as well for an all in one package. http://oceanaquatics.com/view_produc...250Reefstar14K

Thanks again.

TheReefGeek · #4 05-04-2006, 02:51 PM

Depends on if you like the bulb in it or not.

OCDP · #5 05-04-2006, 03:00 PM

14k is what I was going for.. either that or 20k. The only concern I'd have is with the brand of bulb it comes with. Otherwise, would this be a good setup to use?

mr_alberta · #6 05-04-2006, 03:48 PM

I've read of some people having bad wiring with their Hamiltons. Not sure what generation of fixture that applies to though, but they were the Reef Star ones. Also, the reflector in those pendants aren't as good as the ones that come with the PFO or the SLS, but the ReefStar is a lot lower profile than either of those. Its too bad you weren't looking earlier, I just sold my pair of SLS pendants.