First lighting setup: Phoenix 14k DE, Lumenmax 3, Reef Fanatic 250W Ballast?

gummyworms · 10/21/2006, 11:43 PM

I'm thinking of getting a LumenMax 3 DE reflector, just need a bit of help as to how to pair a ballast with it. This will be the first lighting setup I've ever purchased, this is why I'm trying to be very careful to get something that works well and isn't too hard to assemble.

According to Sanjay's Reeflighting page, if I pair a Reef Fanatic 250W with a Phoenix 250W 14000k DE bulb, I can get pretty good efficiency. But I don't know a lot about why some DE bulbs are called HQI and if they need a different kind of ballast. Basically, I want to know if the links below for ballast and bulb will work together well...and if it is fairly plug and play with little assembly.

BTW, the tank is a 58 gallon oceanic with the overflow placed on one of the ends, rather than on the back. It will be viewable from 3 sides, with the fourth containing an overflow against a wall.

Thanks for your help!
Shawn

Reflector
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Code=Sunpendant

Bulb
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ry_Code=mh-250w

Ballast
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...y_Code=Eballast

nyvp · 10/22/2006, 06:18 AM

the reflector is considered one of the best
I went through reefgeek.com they were very helpfull
I went with the icecap ballast for low watt usage

prodman · 10/22/2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gummyworms
. But I don't know a lot about why some DE bulbs are called HQI and if they need a different kind of ballast.

All de bulbs were designed to run on HQI ballast. The only other ballast that they will work on is an electronic ballast. I run the pheonix on hqi ballast but lots of people use e ballast. I think you are chosing a good light. Good luck-Paul

gummyworms · 10/22/2006, 08:44 PM

Is the Reef Fanatic 250W ballast considered HQI? Or does any electrnic ballast drive a Phoenix 14k?

Ti · 10/22/2006, 09:38 PM

I run DE with E ballast

prodman · 10/22/2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gummyworms
Is the Reef Fanatic 250W ballast considered HQI? Or does any electrnic ballast drive a Phoenix 14k?

An e ballast is not a hqi ballast but it will run them. The e ballast will produse a little less light than the hqi ballast will. But it will also use less electricity. Even though I use hqi ballastson my de bulbs I dont think the extra light is needed. So stick with your choice.

10/21/2006, 11:43 PM	#1
gummyworms Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 205	First lighting setup: Phoenix 14k DE, Lumenmax 3, Reef Fanatic 250W Ballast? I'm thinking of getting a LumenMax 3 DE reflector, just need a bit of help as to how to pair a ballast with it. This will be the first lighting setup I've ever purchased, this is why I'm trying to be very careful to get something that works well and isn't too hard to assemble. According to Sanjay's Reeflighting page, if I pair a Reef Fanatic 250W with a Phoenix 250W 14000k DE bulb, I can get pretty good efficiency. But I don't know a lot about why some DE bulbs are called HQI and if they need a different kind of ballast. Basically, I want to know if the links below for ballast and bulb will work together well...and if it is fairly plug and play with little assembly. BTW, the tank is a 58 gallon oceanic with the overflow placed on one of the ends, rather than on the back. It will be viewable from 3 sides, with the fourth containing an overflow against a wall. Thanks for your help! Shawn Reflector http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Code=Sunpendant Bulb http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ry_Code=mh-250w Ballast http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...y_Code=Eballast

10/22/2006, 09:38 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I run DE with E ballast __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

10/22/2006, 06:18 AM	#2
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	the reflector is considered one of the best I went through reefgeek.com they were very helpfull I went with the icecap ballast for low watt usage

10/22/2006, 08:44 PM	#4
gummyworms Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 205	Is the Reef Fanatic 250W ballast considered HQI? Or does any electrnic ballast drive a Phoenix 14k?