feedback on 6' light hoods - all in 1 units

[mortonl]

I like the look of a open top tank and as such I am looking to possibly use a pre-made light hood. Tank is 72 x 20w x 27 t. Here are the choices:

Aqua Medic Ocean Light Sexy Series, 72” (3X250W 10k+ 2x150W 20k)

Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/MH HQI Combo Series, 72 inch 4 x 250MH + 4 x 39W T5

Current USA 72 inch Outer Orbit 3x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 8x39W T5 HO & 24 Lunar Lights

Aqualight Elite ES56045-3X 250W 10,000K Halide-2X 96W Actinic

Coralife Aqualight Pro ES53530 -72"4X96W Actinics-3X250W HQI Halide-4Moon

Hamilton HTA6A2296C2 - 3-250W 2-96W Actinic 10,000K

I would appreciate feedback on your satisfaction with the product and pro's and cons.

Thanks.

 

[thi7b]

I would go w/ maristar light fixture. I had the coralife and aquamedic before switch to maristar.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11846591#post11846591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thi7b
I would go w/ maristar light fixture. I had the coralife and aquamedic before switch to maristar.

Why?


LL

 

[mortonl]

thi7b responded to me:

What I did not like about the aquamedic. Is that the ballast was built into the fixture. It make the fixture very heavy. Also the one I have was not wide enough for the 18in tank and also no stand. Ok about coralife fixture. I did not like the bulbs it came with. Also the reflector is ok. I did not like the pc vs t5. I also have problem w/ the fan and their plastic legs for the fixture. I think maristar is more on the higher end fixture and better built. What I like about it is that you have a option to hang or not. They sell legs that can be raise 12 above the tank water to reduced heat. Just want to let you know. The maristar have 2 fan on top it's abit loud. The ballast that I bought was the blue wave. if you have more question feel free to ask.

 

[mortonl]

Any one in Los Angeles using any of these lighting hoods?? I would love to see in person up and running and hear your experience with growth, light dispersion, noise, ballast performance, etc.

Upon evaluating the Maristar, seems like they may use higher quality reflectors and ballasts (external) than some of the products mentioned above? Thoughts??

 

[Lightsluvr]

Comparisons

Comparisons

Everything comes with a price. The Maristar does not include any of the bulbs or MH ballasts. No LEDs. But still sells for about the same as the other "all-in-one" systems which come complete... I guess this allows you to customize your system...

I use a Aqualight Pro (2x) 250W with CF actinics on my 95G reef and have ordered the Current USA Outer Orbit (3x) 250W with T5s for my 180G reef project. Call me lazy, but I like the convenience of the system hoods...

JMHO.

LL

 

[bradleyj]

I have the maristar light fixture and love it. Choice of remote ballasts, reef optics reflectors for the de halides and tek reflectors for the t-5's. Best of all is that it is American made.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Light, camera

Light, camera

Looks nice.

Beautiful tank.

LL

 

[mortonl]

bump - any more feedback?

 

[mpoletti]

I would also get the maristar. Far superior reflectors and SLS is a great company. I have one on my 48 and it is wonderful product. I almost did not buy it because I wanted a product with led's. I am glad I did not make that the hang up. I bought after market LED's and I like them much better. What do you do when the LED's go out in the hood?

 

[ricks]

Off topic..

Bradley, nice tank, you have any issues with 30+ fish in a 225? Also does your Angel nip your SPS?

Happy reefing

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11973536#post11973536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
I bought after market LED's and I like them much better. What do you do when the LED's go out in the hood?

Easy replacement with a Phillips screwdriver...at least on the Current USA and the Coralife.

LL