Light Shopping. Please help!

mr_alberta · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 05-04-2006, 02:51 PM

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

OCDP · #4 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 · #5 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.

OCDP · #6 05-04-2006, 03:54 PM

Hmm, do you have links to some SLS pendants? I can't find any on Ocean Aquatics

Also, I'm glad I am asking around about pendants, otherwise I would have grabbed that one for sure , without knowing any possible backround info on it... so thanks.

Delphinus · #7 05-04-2006, 03:58 PM

I have the pendent you linked to Scott, over my ritteri cube. I like it, and the light is fine enough. I would budget the replace the bulb in about 6 months, and then you can switch to any light you want.

Alternatively, you can probably talk to Wendell about ordering a different lamp with it if you really don't want the Hamilton 14k, I'm sure he'd work with you on that. Never hurts to ask, anyhow. But FWIW, I'm using that lamp, and I don't really have any issues with it. It "works for me."