NanoGurl's 75g Reef Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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Hard choice. Either go with a combo MH/T5 fixture with good reflectors (expensive), or go with MH only fixture with crappy reflectors (Sunpod) or go with good pendant reflectors with remote ballasts (would need two of them for a 120 gallon and may not be that attractive) or build a canopy and mount reflectors in it (you already said that you didn't want to do this).
If looks and price are really important to you and light output is not, I'd go with the Sunpod. If looks and light output are important to you and price is flexible, I'd go with the combo MH/T5 fixture and hang it - may run t5s or not (you'd have the option to pick what bulbs to use for the T5s if any). I'd look at the Maristar from Sunlight Supply (same great reflectors as the Reef Optix) (though service is somewhat questionable these days from SLS) or a cheapy Giesemann.
(edit - just realized the price on the Maristar doesn't include ballasts for the MH bulbs - you gotta buy those separately. Nevermind ... )
If price and output are important to you and looks are secondary, then the double pendant option would be great and give you flexibility if one goes down.
Just some thoughts.
If looks and price are really important to you and light output is not, I'd go with the Sunpod. If looks and light output are important to you and price is flexible, I'd go with the combo MH/T5 fixture and hang it - may run t5s or not (you'd have the option to pick what bulbs to use for the T5s if any). I'd look at the Maristar from Sunlight Supply (same great reflectors as the Reef Optix) (though service is somewhat questionable these days from SLS) or a cheapy Giesemann.
(edit - just realized the price on the Maristar doesn't include ballasts for the MH bulbs - you gotta buy those separately. Nevermind ... )
If price and output are important to you and looks are secondary, then the double pendant option would be great and give you flexibility if one goes down.
Just some thoughts.
Didn't mean to imply yours was cheap. I meant in relationship to the other Giesemann fixtures - to pick one of the cheaper ones like the Eco series as opposed to the Moonlight Infiniti series. Everything's relative. 
I'm recommending Giesemann since people seem to agree that it's good quality as a combined fixture goes. The Eco series is definitely cheaper than the Sfiligoi Infinity series or the Elos Planet II series which would be other combined fixtures that are commonly recommended.
You have any pictures of your set up so NG can see what it looks like?
I'm recommending Giesemann since people seem to agree that it's good quality as a combined fixture goes. The Eco series is definitely cheaper than the Sfiligoi Infinity series or the Elos Planet II series which would be other combined fixtures that are commonly recommended.You have any pictures of your set up so NG can see what it looks like?
ahullsb
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Have you seen a ballast running only phoenix 14's? Some people like them and some don't obviously. If you don't mind a combo, I have been happy with the Outer Orbits I bought recently. mh/t5's and moonlights. I have it hanging and it looks pretty clean I think. I'll post a pic tomorrow if you want to see it. But if you only want mh's, two pendants might look good as well.
NanoGurl
In Memoriam
Wow that looks great! Your tank is gorgeous.
Yes, I love the phoenix look.
Well, I wasn't sure how to hang them nicely so it would look good. Haivng a cord running to the celing, then the power cord out the back probably won't look the best with two small stand alone fixtures. That's why I was thinking the larger system would look better.
Yes, I love the phoenix look.
Well, I wasn't sure how to hang them nicely so it would look good. Haivng a cord running to the celing, then the power cord out the back probably won't look the best with two small stand alone fixtures. That's why I was thinking the larger system would look better.
NanoGurl
In Memoriam
Alright... so the sunpod is out. Now I just have to figure out how to hang my pendants in a nice way.
I was also thinking of getting the 250w Lumen Max 3 reflectors.. but still the same problem of how to hang them nice... and the cords come out of the side of the unit.. not the back.. which kinda sucks!
Lumen Max 3
I was also thinking of getting the 250w Lumen Max 3 reflectors.. but still the same problem of how to hang them nice... and the cords come out of the side of the unit.. not the back.. which kinda sucks!
Lumen Max 3
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