250w HQI/DE pendants?

[NeveSSL]

Hi all,

Anyone have any recommendations for a decent 250w HQI/DE pendant that is small, but looks good?

I'm thinking about a Reef Optix III. Zach said he has seen them in person and they're not real attractive, but I was curious if anyone had any recommendations as I'd rather not do a canopy if I don't have to.

And, FWIW, this is for my 30g cube, so a smaller reflector that is more focused would be preferred (thus I'm looking at the Reef Optix III ).

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[zef004]

I like the sunlight supply LumenMax 3 with a Sun System Galaxy Select-A-Watt Electronic Ballasts. So you can have a 250 or 400w hqi.

 

[ct_vol]

Around what size are you looking for Brandon?

 

[NeveSSL]

Thanks, Zef! I will check those out.

Randy, the tank I am putting this over is only 21"x21", so I am just looking for a pendant that is more focused than spread, but more than anything it needs to look good since it will be in my office. Do you have any thoughts?

Brandon

 

[zef004]

I think Bill got one of the lumenmax it maybe the oldEr one. Get a hold of him and see it in person. If you go that way Chris at thecritter will order you one better then any Internet$$$.

 

[NeveSSL]

Good to know. Thanks, Zef.

Brandon

 

[evsalty]

Check out the Hamilton Cayman Sun. The reflector is like the Lumen Bright/Elite and the housing looks pretty good IMO. Not the typical INDUSTRIAL looking pendant.

 

[zef004]

ThoseHamilton Cayman Sun are nice to and also have a 6led moonlight on them.

 

[evsalty]

Yup and they also can be had with electronic HQI ballasts that will drive Phoenix bulbs to the whiter less windex blue color. The 250w model is only $300 with the electronic ballast and Hami 14k bulb. The pendant by itself is cheaper ofcorse.

 

[NeveSSL]

Nice... I like that.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Brandon

 

[evsalty]

Oh yeah and it's 12"x12". For me this worked really well to keep the perfect square theme of the tank and stand combo.

Fixture 12x12
tank 16x16
stand 22x22

 

[ct_vol]

Are you looking for a complete fixture including Actinic supplements or just the pendant itself??? I am thoroughly annoyed with Hamilton right now, but that is besides the point...

 

[NeveSSL]

I'm just looking for a pendant. I'm going to do LED supplementation.

Brandon

 

[ct_vol]

If you're going that route, why don't you buy one of those ReefBrite Pro fixtures??? They're super sexy...

Kinda spendy though...

 

[zef004]

If you're going that route, why don't you buy one of those ReefBrite Pro fixtures??? They're super sexy...

Kinda spendy though...

I seen these at the mtrc frag swap. They are really nice just way to high. I think they said without the ballast was retail for $500. 750 with the ballast.

 

[NeveSSL]

That would be pretty sweet! Only thing is, I can only find the 150w with LEDs for sale. Its $389, though, without a ballast. Not TOO terrible, but I can probably DIY the exact same LEDs for maybe $60 to $100. I just can't make it look as good. Hmmm...

Thanks for the heads up on these. I was wondering which ones were at the swap with LEDs on them.

Brandon

 

[ct_vol]

You think you can do a DIY LED that will match the PAR output of the ReefBrites?!? I'd be very interested to see that done...

The best concentrated light pendant I've come across is the Lumenmax Elite... If you decided to go with one of those, I would seriously point you toward a 175w though, not a 250w... I had PAR readings in the 900's and 1000's toward the center of my LME with IceCap ballasts and an AquaConnect bulb... There is such a thing as too much light...

Otherwise just go with the LumenMax or LumenArc or LumenBrights, you can't really go wrong with any of those, and you can easily cover a 21x21 area... I have a single LumenArc Mini Stealth over my 24x24 frag cube... I'll try and shoot a pic later today for you...

 

[NeveSSL]

Hi Randy,

Yeah, with 80 degree lenses I don't think it would be hard at all to match the ReefBrites. Also, I don't know that the LEDs on the MH fixtures are the same as their new LED strips. I would suspect they are not. I do know they use Cree Royal Blue LEDs in their strips and they under volt them to 1.5v. So I can get some black anodized heatsink material, some good thermal paste, a few screws, and a BuckPuck or two and come really close for a lot less $. It just may not look quite as ... perfect. But I will still be able to make it look good I think.

I really appreciate the suggestions. The problem is that all of those require a canopy. I will still give them a look. There are ways of doing canopies that are hanging, but I think I'd still prefer a hanging pendant.

We'll see.

Thanks, Randy!

Brandon

 

[ct_vol]

The LumenArc Mini Stealths don't need a canopy... Here's a quick shot of mine... And no, I didn't scrape the glass...

 

[NeveSSL]

Sweet... not too bad... but not sure if it would work in the office.

Is that an Ocea tank and stand?

Brandon