250 HQI bulb and pendant\reflector suggestions
- Thread starter beaver
- Start date
Weatherman
New member
I would recommend ReefOptix III or PFO Mini Pendants as having the best reflectors.
For the best combination of PPFD, CCT and power consumption off a PFO 250-Watt HQI ballast: 10,000K Ushios, or, if you can find them, 10,000K Giesemann. 10,000K Aqualine Buschke are also good, but they are a bit more yellow in color.
I found the following to be a very valuable research tool in making a choice on bulbs.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com
Just ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œSearch Performance Dataââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ based on ballast.
For the best combination of PPFD, CCT and power consumption off a PFO 250-Watt HQI ballast: 10,000K Ushios, or, if you can find them, 10,000K Giesemann. 10,000K Aqualine Buschke are also good, but they are a bit more yellow in color.
I found the following to be a very valuable research tool in making a choice on bulbs.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com
Just ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œSearch Performance Dataââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ based on ballast.
Kip
New member
i ran 250w phoenix 14k in ROIII pendants with pfo HQI ballasts in the display for a while, before deciding to go with 400s. I still run the p14ks in my frag tank. Good growth. Good color.
I liked the p14ks, but they didnt seem to punch as deep into the tank as i would have liked... that and i was looking for a setup with a little more spread.
I liked the p14ks, but they didnt seem to punch as deep into the tank as i would have liked... that and i was looking for a setup with a little more spread.
RCS
In Memoriam
I'm running my lighting on a budget, but don't feel I've sacrificed quality at all:
3x250w EVC 14k with EVC electronic ballasts, PFO pendants. Cheap, light and well-made. Good crisp white color with just enough blue to let the corals fluouresce.
The ballasts are dead quiet, run cool enough to touch even after a few hours of operation, are VERY small and unintrusive, and provide pretty decent PAR output from the tests I've seen compared to magnetic ballasts. Not as much output as the 10K bulbs, but the color IMHO is much better.
The best part? Under $700 delivered to the door for everything from www.oceanencounter.com
3x250w EVC 14k with EVC electronic ballasts, PFO pendants. Cheap, light and well-made. Good crisp white color with just enough blue to let the corals fluouresce.
The ballasts are dead quiet, run cool enough to touch even after a few hours of operation, are VERY small and unintrusive, and provide pretty decent PAR output from the tests I've seen compared to magnetic ballasts. Not as much output as the 10K bulbs, but the color IMHO is much better.
The best part? Under $700 delivered to the door for everything from www.oceanencounter.com
Doubledown
Active member
SLS ReefOptic IIIs driven by SLS Bluewave HQI balasts (I like that the plug/connection from the pendant matched the balasts). I run 2 Phoenix 14Ks on the sides and 1 AB 20K in the center (plus 310 watts of VHO Actinics). I like the crisp blue/white light that this set-up generates.
I ran the P14Ks without the actinics for a while, but really like the bluer color with them. To each their own I guess.
I ran the P14Ks without the actinics for a while, but really like the bluer color with them. To each their own I guess.
Weatherman
New member
thebicyclecafe
New member
Aquamedic 250W HQI/DE system with AB 10K bulbs is what I use, I find the 10 K is the best for the SPS in terms of PAR, I can cut back the photoperiod a lot and even though the color isn't as nice, I find the corals are growing a lot nicer. I recommend this fixture as the price is right and the unit does not run hot at all.
