PFO, Ice Cap or Hamilton?

[FranktheTankTx]

I'm lighting a 36g corner with a MH pendant. I think I have this narrowed down to these options.

- PFO 250w HQI pendant w/ 250w Phoenix 14k w/ 250w Electronic Ice Cap ballast

- Ice Cap 250w HQI pendant w/ 250w Phoenix 14k w/ 250w Electronic Ice Cap ballast

- Hamilton Reefstar 250w HQI pendant w/ Hamilton 14k w/ remote Hamilton ballast

Sound off your opinions on which system would be best. If you have had experience let me know. If you want to suggest a different bulb please do so...

[kdblove_99]

I really like PFO. So thats my vote

[FranktheTankTx]

bump-a-rewski.

[FranktheTankTx]

All you MH experts, please vote!

[reef_doug]

I would look into the best reflector, like Luminarc mini or Lumenmax.

For ballast, if you want electronic then Ice Cap MH250 gets my vote, though some people do like Galaxy but they are not quite as efficient.

For bulb, the Phx 14K is a fine overall choice!

[pugbreath13]

I selected other...I like your first set up put I prefer PFO ballasts.

[FranktheTankTx]

Yea, obviously there are a lot of combinations I could run with.

On reefgeek, I found the Reef Optix 3 Plus w/ Ice cap 250w electronic ballast & 250w Phoenix 14k bulb all for $289. I thought that was an outstanding deal. I may look into that. That reflector looks like it's very similar material to the LumenMax.

[Marko9]

I would do a sunlight supply ballast any day of the week.

[FranktheTankTx]

Originally posted by Marko9
I would do a sunlight supply ballast any day of the week.

It's about a $130 difference if I go with the Ice Cap ballast instead. I don't feel it's worth that much to go SLS. Especially when I'm going Ice Cap ballast.

[reef_doug]

Originally posted by FranktheTankTx
Yea, obviously there are a lot of combinations I could run with.

On reefgeek, I found the Reef Optix 3 Plus w/ Ice cap 250w electronic ballast & 250w Phoenix 14k bulb all for $289. I thought that was an outstanding deal. I may look into that. That reflector looks like it's very similar material to the LumenMax.

I have 3 of these for my 180. I purchased the ROIII just before the Lumenax was out. The ROIII are old design and not as good, I believe the Lumenmax are a little larger also. They are both by Sun Lamp Supply (SLS).

If I was to do it over, I would look at the Lumenmax or Lumenarc Mini.

[FranktheTankTx]

Thanks Doug,

I just came across the Lumen Brights and LumenArc pendants tonight. I really want to stick with a DE bulb, so I really liked the LumenArc Stealth design. At 14.5"x14.5" it has some nice size to it to cover a 36g corner tank which is somewhat square in dimension.

I do believe the LumenArc Stealth is my number one choice currently with a 250w Phoenix 14k DE powered by an Ice Cap 250w electronic ballast.

[aclos3]

I really like my EVC e-ballast. I run a hamiton 14k on it and it looks great. The EVC ballast generally runs the bulbs a little harder than an Icecap, so you get a little more light, but probably wear the bulbs out a little faster.

[faded1004]

aro, lumenarc, hamilton14k