Which pendant to buy?

[bearpeidog]

I've decided to upgrade my lighting. After a great deal of reading on wether to go T5 or MH, I have decided that I will go MH (WOW- what a debated topic!).

Now the question is which MH fixture to purchase and this is were I need some help.

Tank specifics: 90 gallon bow (15 x 48 - 28" deep). I have a RBTA, Crocea, Derasa, Xenia, Galaxy, Montipora, Green Star and I'm not sure what's next. For fish I have Green Chromises, 2 Percs, 6 line wrasse and one foxface. I'm thinking I'd like to try Acros. I have a wood canopy with 7" clearance inside.


I've limited my decision to:

Icecap250/400 pendant vs PFO HQI 250 Mini Pendant. (I am pretty sure I'm going with the ICECAP 250 electronic balasts).

Question 1: The PFO vs IC - PFO is a lot smaller but close in terms of depth - 1/2" (4.5" vs 5"). That only leaves about two inches to the top of the tank. I do run glass tops and plan to continue to do so. Is that too close - anyone running something similiar in terms of clearance? I assume the bulbs are recessed so the bulbs should be closer to 5 inches from the top of the tank. Anyone think the 1/2" would push the decision one way or the other?

Question 2: Since the tank is narrow but deep(15 inches/28" deep) would the PFO be a better choice to focus more liight within the 15" or would the Icecap provide better coverage? My one though is with the icecap being larger, I might flood more light out of the tank.

Question 3: Anyone care to comment on either fixture to help sway me one way or the other?

Thanks!

 

[Andrew]

I would just get two of these. Bulbs just $20

http://www.hellolights.com/arocu25re.html

 

[jknecht]

From what I understand the PFO's are suppose to give more of a rectangular coverage. I can't speak for the Icecap pendants. I debated between the PFO's and Reef Optix III+ with Icecap ballasts. I went with the Reef Optix's because I've been told they run cooler than the PFO's and their only 4" high.