AquaMedic 250 DE Ocean Light vs Giesemann Nova ll 250

[ClownReef®]

Hey guys!

Well, im in the early stages of building my dream tank. Its a "cube" (32x32x25) glass tank. When i was picking the equipment i am going to use..lighting became the hardest.

A cube is not that easy to light IMO..I was looking at different pendants..Elos, Giesemann, Aquamedic and started knocking them down until i was left with Giesemann and AquaMedic.

So, for all of you that have tested these 2 units..which one is the best?

Im thinking of using two AquaMedic Ocean Lights or two Gieseman Nova ll to light the cube..

Anyways, any ideas, suggestions and comments are welcome!

Thanks!

DIego

[ReefWreak]

Have you considered doing just one 400w bulb in a large (LuminarcIII, Reefoptix) reflector? They should cover a cube with those dimensions, and at 400w, you could just get something like a radium or other bluer bulb and not need actinic supplement at all. HTH

[ClownReef®]

Well, the reason why i want to go with those pendants is because of the "sexy" factor. They are sleek and stylish..and the cube doesnt have a canopy..so, they will be hanging from the ceiling..

[OliverM3]

No complaints at all with the AquaMedic Ocean Light.
I run two over my tank. I like that they don't have any fans.
Because I like to keep my setup as quiet as possible.

The reflector is a simple metal reflector. but I don't need the extra output of a mirror finished reflector.
For my needs this setup is already a little overkill for my tank.

I run Phoenix 14k's and it looks perfect without actinic supplementation

No experience with the Giesemann.

[ErikS]

Know nothing about Giesemann, have a few years on the Ocean lights (pendants) - overall rating is okay.

The fixtures are okay but the sockets don't hold up well at all. The contacts corrode making it impossible to remove the bulbs without damage (check reviews @ PA - I'm not alone).

Not certain if they've improved but early ballasts could be buzzy - AM has little idea how to isolate the ballast from the box. Remote location for me = not a real issue.

[bureau13]

My AM ballast is only noisy when the HQI bulbs initially fire. By the time they've settled into their "operating color" (i.e. about 3 minutes) the hum is gone.

jds

[OliverM3]

Originally posted by ErikS

The fixtures are okay but the sockets don't hold up well at all. The contacts corrode making it impossible to remove the bulbs without damage (check reviews @ PA - I'm not alone).

That's funny that you mention the sockets. I bent the hell out of mine the first bulb change.
I thought it was just me being new to DE M/H.
The sockets were easy and cheap enough to replace.

[ClownReef®]

Thank you so much for the replies!

Do you guys think i should stick with the AM Ocean light? or try something different?

Are the problems you've all encountered with the fixture no big deal?

Thanks!

[whatcaneyedo]

I've got a Aquamedic oceanlight, no real complaints about the fixture. Their customer service is horrible though. They wont call you back or reply to your emails so keep that in mind.

I've been using some Giesemann bulbs and they work great, no experiance with the fixtures though.

[saltysupply]

giesemann fixtures are great...used them on about 5 tanks

[ClownReef®]

AquaMedic 4..

Giesemann 1..

Hmm..what to do.. what to do.. :P

[ErikS]

Originally posted by ClownReef®
Thank you so much for the replies!

Do you guys think i should stick with the AM Ocean light? or try something different?

Are the problems you've all encountered with the fixture no big deal?

Thanks!

I'd rate them as not a terribly big deal.

One ballast I have is fairly quiet. The other one is pretty noisy. I had it replaced when I first got them thinking it would solve the problem....replacement was worse (which is why I don't think AM can sort it out)

Mine are in another room = no big deal for me. They have run any DE bulb I've thrown at them.....AND they drive them hard.

The fixtures are fine, a bit of a PITA to change the bulb. It's unscrew the end piece, remove the glass & then deal with the lousy sockets......but as mentioned the sockets can be changed. The fixtures do look nice hanging from the ceiling & they function fine. Reflectors show no signs of corrosion after 4 years(ish).

Are they worth it? What's a bit of issues worth to you? They are economical for DE's.

[marxxx]

I am using one of these along with 2 hamilton fixtures. I think the reflector is better than what is my hamiltons. My ballast only makes noise on the initial startup of the light (about 3-5 seconds) and is great after that. I have no issues iwth mine and would gladly purchase more.

I have no experience with the other though so I can't really compare them.

Great value for sure!

[ClownReef®]

Ok thanks!

Well, i guess i will go with 2 AquaMedic Ocean Lights..(250w) over the tank..

Thanks for your replies..

[galore]

I have 250W AM OceanLights. One word of caution: The euro-style wire connectors inside the fixture get brittle from the heat over time and pose a short circuit hazard.

[GobyJohnKenobi]

I have a blue Nova II. It's gorgeous!!

Very nice ballast. The reflector is nothing special.

[DarG]

The suggestion for going with a large Lumenarc reflector is definitely the best one. The problem with the AM and the Giesemann is the halide reflectors. They are on the small side. Even hanging two of them over a 32" x 32" cube is going to leave you with uneven light spread. I dont see how it will give you good coverage. I've seen the light spread of smaller halide reflectors over my own tank that I wouldnt go that direction if it were my new tank.
They work fine for tanks that arent that wide or for small cubes but you almost need 3 square feet of coverage. No matter how you hang them, I think you will either lack coverage one way or the other. Youd probably need 4 of them to get full coverage.
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the pendants, there isnt. I think the application is not right, thats all.

You can always build a nice looking housing for a Lumenarc and make yoruself a good looking pendant. The Lumenarc experts will have to tell you whether you can get a full 32" x 32" of coverage with the 19.5" square Lumenarc but it would be real close if it doesnt get it done. I'm betting, signifigantly better coverage than two of the AM or Giesemann pendants with their smaller reflectors.

Just my 2 cents. Maybe Hahn or Grim or others with more familiarity with the larger Lumenarcs will chime in with their thoughts.

[ClownReef®]

DarG,

Thanks for your input

The thing is, i dont want strong light coverage in all of the tank. I am going to have islands with coral spread through the tank..so it is not going to be stuffed with coral.

[skey44]

does it have to be halide? if you're going why not a 24" 10 bulb ATI powermodule, sleek sexy and an ultimate tank type light, i hate the narrow distribution of light, the oem bulbs, and the maintenance issue of the ocean lights.

[ClownReef®]

Hmmm..Never heard of the powermodule..

Who sells it?