Ice Cap Pendant or Outer Orbit Pro?

Tylt33 · #1 12/31/2007, 01:51 PM

Hi everyone. After dabbling with nano tanks for some time, I'm looking at going bigger with a 95g wave front tank. I'm looking for recommendations on what lighting fixture to get, and I've searched reef central as well as google, but still have a few additional questions. The tank I'm getting is 24" deep, and I plan on having SPS from about the midpoint all the way to the top.

I've read the T5 versus MH debates, and I'm wondering how the combo units are, such as the Outer Orbit Pro? Do you get any of the shimmer effect? Would a 2x250 MH setup be enough for the tank? Are there better combo units out there for ~$1000?

The other option I was considering was two 400w Ice Cap Pendants with IC ballasts, etc. However, these seem a lot more difficult for a newbie like myself. Also, I have concerns with the light distribution issues I've read about. I'd like an even light spread over the tank.

All comments and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you for your time!

Tylt33 · #2 12/31/2007, 02:32 PM

Bump?

Tylt33 · #3 12/31/2007, 04:58 PM

Anyone?

TK3 · #4 01/01/2008, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tylt33
Anyone?

I have the:

Current USA 36 inch Outer Orbit 2x150w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x39W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights

.. on a 56G that is 24" tall. Has been running without problems, and I'm considering the 2x250 MH for my new 120G. Rather than using pendants and T5's which would be 3-4 individual components. Plus I don't have/want a canopy of any kind. Prefer hanging from the ceiling.

Tylt33 · #5 01/01/2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TK3
I have the:

Current USA 36 inch Outer Orbit 2x150w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x39W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights

.. on a 56G that is 24" tall. Has been running without problems, and I'm considering the 2x250 MH for my new 120G. Rather than using pendants and T5's which would be 3-4 individual components. Plus I don't have/want a canopy of any kind. Prefer hanging from the ceiling.

I appreciate the response! I think I may go with that setup. I like the all in one feel. Is this the best setup, or is there something above it?

saltydragon · #6 01/01/2008, 09:53 AM

i have the same fixture as TK3 on a 50br.,and it puts out plenty of light...for the 250w,the ballst is external so thats a plus...(the fixture is pretty heavy with the internal ballasts!)...theres always higher end fixtures like geiseman and a bunch of others(european)...but then the cost will go up with them...

sditch · #7 01/01/2008, 12:41 PM

I have the Outer Orbit 4' with 2x250 HQI's. Great fixture, hard to go wrong with it. It also has a nice hanging kit

Tylt33 · #8 01/01/2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sditch
I have the Outer Orbit 4' with 2x250 HQI's. Great fixture, hard to go wrong with it. It also has a nice hanging kit

So these combo kits are worth getting? I'm just wondering how they'll fit on a wave front tank. I was hoping to avoid having to hang anything... but it looks like I may not have a choice.

sditch · #9 01/01/2008, 11:42 PM

Personal Prefreance, Fixtures look sweet but some pendents are way better at light distrubution. If I was to consider a penent it would be the LumunArc

FranktheTankTx · #10 01/02/2008, 12:11 AM

You could get a couple 400w 14k Hamilton Reefstars. That's a pretty good MH pendant.

Tylt33 · #11 01/02/2008, 01:25 AM

You think the Reefstars are better than the Ice Caps? I don't really know much about the different lights, but I thought I read that only two brands make "true" 400w MH? I also thought I read that MH light distribution was unbalanced, and that's why I was wondering about MH and T5 combinations. Are MH only setups the way to go then? Thanks for all the help!

the tiler · #12 01/02/2008, 09:06 AM

I really do not think you need 400 Watters on a 24" deep tank I am in the process of setting up a 120Gal 24"X24"X48" I am going to use two Sunlight Supply LumenMax 3 250watt DE HQI Pendants with four 54 Watt T5s.
On my 200 gal I used to run Reef optix 250HQI pendants but I think There will be a better spread with the LumenMax 3 Pendants

Jason

FranktheTankTx · #13 01/02/2008, 10:01 AM

I would agree that you do not need 400w. 250w would be fine.

Tylt33 · #14 01/02/2008, 01:42 PM

So is the consensus that 250w pendants are the way to go? Or are the MH/T5 Combo units better? I'd like to have the shimmer of MH, but I'd like to have the even light distribution of T5, so I was thinking about going with the combo...

the tiler · #15 01/02/2008, 01:53 PM

If you are not able to make a lighting setup yourself then you will have to go with a combo unit.
This is a picture of a hood I had on my 200 Three HQI 250s in Reef Optix pendants with two 160 VHOs
My 120 Hood will be simillar but will have two HQIs and four T5s
I am going to start building after I get My cast off my leg next week.

Tylt33 · #16 01/02/2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the tiler
If you are not able to make a lighting setup yourself then you will have to go with a combo unit.
This is a picture of a hood I had on my 200 Three HQI 250s in Reef Optix pendants with two 160 VHOs
My 120 Hood will be simillar but will have two HQIs and four T5s
I am going to start building after I get My cast off my leg next week.

Wow, I'm a total newb. For some reason I was thinking the pendants could be independantly hung, but now I realize that they need a unit to go in. Well, in terms of combo units, is the Outer Orbit Pro a good way to go or are there better options within a reasonable price range?

the tiler · #17 01/02/2008, 05:27 PM

The pendants can be hung individually
They have eye hooks
I just mounted mine this way because that's how I wanted them mounted in my hood

Jason

humbugy · #18 01/02/2008, 11:00 PM

I've been using the icecap pendants for about two years now and I've been happy with the results, I use 250w but the sockets can been changed over to 400w if desired, shouldnt be necesary though.