Lighting upgrade

qsails · 03/13/2006, 08:19 AM

I want to upgrade the light on my 18 gal via aqua. I currently have 96w pc. and want to upgrade to HQI. so my questions are,

E-Ballest or regular HQI?
PFO mini pendant or Hamilton Reefstar?

Entropy · 03/13/2006, 05:02 PM

Honestly I don't think it matters in your case. I would get the one that looks the best to you. 150w is going to be a huge step up from 96w pc, so I would sweat getting every little bit or par out of the setup. E ballasts would probably allow longer bulb life and run cooler (ballast itself).

qsails · 03/14/2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks for the reply
I went with the reefoptix III and the Icecap 250W e ballast from reefgeek. I know that it is way to much light but I will be upgrading to a 120 gallon in the next year so what the heck. My next issue will be how to hang it from my wall. Can't go into the ceiling so I am looking for a bracket to hang off of the wall behind the tank.

03/13/2006, 08:19 AM	#1
qsails Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Old Greenwich, CT Posts: 32	Lighting upgrade I want to upgrade the light on my 18 gal via aqua. I currently have 96w pc. and want to upgrade to HQI. so my questions are, E-Ballest or regular HQI? PFO mini pendant or Hamilton Reefstar?

03/13/2006, 05:02 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Honestly I don't think it matters in your case. I would get the one that looks the best to you. 150w is going to be a huge step up from 96w pc, so I would sweat getting every little bit or par out of the setup. E ballasts would probably allow longer bulb life and run cooler (ballast itself). __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/14/2006, 10:22 AM	#3
qsails Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Old Greenwich, CT Posts: 32	Thanks for the reply I went with the reefoptix III and the Icecap 250W e ballast from reefgeek. I know that it is way to much light but I will be upgrading to a 120 gallon in the next year so what the heck. My next issue will be how to hang it from my wall. Can't go into the ceiling so I am looking for a bracket to hang off of the wall behind the tank.