The Best Pendant for DE 250watt

KaniRyde · 06/05/2007, 04:00 AM

I'm looking at these three. The Lumenarc Stealth is too big for my setup.

I'm getting two pendants running off a Icecap 250watt e-ballast with a 14k Phoenix.

1. Hamilton Reefstar pendant.

2. PFO New Mini pendant.

3. Sunlight Supply RO III pendant.

which reflects light the best and which one looks the best?

GoldStripe · 06/05/2007, 04:51 AM

I'm using the RO III's and love them. Check out Sanjay's articles on the DE 250 pendants. I'm also using Ice Cap eballasts however, I would choose a different brand if I could do it again. Not because the Ice Cap has failed but because different eballasts give off more PAR

fewells · 06/05/2007, 06:44 AM

look into lumenarc reflectors. I think they are making one for de now.

KaniRyde · 06/05/2007, 09:13 AM

GoldStripe, what other e-ballasts do you suggest? All I heard about is Icecap so I thought they were one of the best, I'VE also heard of ARO e-ballast.

And lumenarc reflectors re too big, the smmallest they have is the stealth and they are still too big.

areze · 06/05/2007, 10:14 AM

I voted for what I have, and I think you may find others doing the same, since I think the first 2 are somewhat new, I dont think they were out when I bought my pendants.

TwistedTiger · 06/05/2007, 10:33 AM

Find a way to make the Luminarcs fit, 13X12X7 isn't that big.

GoldStripe · 06/05/2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KaniRyde
GoldStripe, what other e-ballasts do you suggest? All I heard about is Icecap so I thought they were one of the best, I'VE also heard of ARO e-ballast.

I've heard good things about another brand...EVC eballasts I think? Could be wrong on that. Have you check Sanjay's website out yet?

RichConley · 06/05/2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KaniRyde
GoldStripe, what other e-ballasts do you suggest? All I heard about is Icecap so I thought they were one of the best, I'VE also heard of ARO e-ballast.

And lumenarc reflectors re too big, the smmallest they have is the stealth and they are still too big.

If you're gonna run DEs, dont run Eballasts. Theyre not designed to be run on eballasts.

My Icecap chews through bulbs at about 3 times the rate my HQI ballast does.

GoldStripe · 06/05/2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
If you're gonna run DEs, dont run Eballasts. Theyre not designed to be run on eballasts.

My Icecap chews through bulbs at about 3 times the rate my HQI ballast does.

That's interesting because I'm running DE with Icecap ballasts and have been for almost 2 years. I did a lot of research beforehand and didn't hear of this at all. In fact I heard just the opposite, that the Icecap eballasts actually don't drive the bulbs as hard and therefore they last longer. Have you consulted Icecap support about this? I'd be very interested to hear what they have to say.

GobyJohnKenobi · 06/05/2007, 08:52 PM

Magnetic ballasts will run you DE bulb brighter, they will draw over 300 watts on a magnetic ballast. PFO makes a good one.

If you are limited on space, take a look at the 250W Giesemann Nova II. It's a great light in a very small, atractive and well thought out pendant with a magnetic ballast with a digital starter.

Check marinedepot.com for them.

KaniRyde · 06/06/2007, 08:26 AM

Can some one post a pic of the PFO New Mini Pendant I've only seen pictures of the bottom but never from the side. I'd like to know what it looks like and if it has vents like the RO III.

Philwd · 06/06/2007, 09:17 AM

Rich - I'm curious too about the IC churning through bulbs. What criteria do you use? Which bulbs? Did you have PAR readings? I change out every 12 mos. one at a time. I can see a difference but it doesn't appear major.

View Poll Results: Which do you recommend?
Hamilton Reefstar 250watt HQI	1	5.26%
PFO New Mini Pendant 250watt	8	42.11%
Reef Optixâ„¢3 Plus Double-Ended HQI Reflector	10	52.63%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll

06/05/2007, 04:00 AM	#1
KaniRyde Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 96	The Best Pendant for DE 250watt I'm looking at these three. The Lumenarc Stealth is too big for my setup. I'm getting two pendants running off a Icecap 250watt e-ballast with a 14k Phoenix. 1. Hamilton Reefstar pendant. 2. PFO New Mini pendant. 3. Sunlight Supply RO III pendant. which reflects light the best and which one looks the best? Last edited by KaniRyde; 06/05/2007 at 04:06 AM.

06/05/2007, 06:44 AM	#3
fewells Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 356	look into lumenarc reflectors. I think they are making one for de now. __________________ When you look this good you don't have to know anything. Current Tank Info: 90 reef

06/05/2007, 10:14 AM	#5
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	I voted for what I have, and I think you may find others doing the same, since I think the first 2 are somewhat new, I dont think they were out when I bought my pendants. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

06/05/2007, 04:51 AM	#2
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	I'm using the RO III's and love them. Check out Sanjay's articles on the DE 250 pendants. I'm also using Ice Cap eballasts however, I would choose a different brand if I could do it again. Not because the Ice Cap has failed but because different eballasts give off more PAR

06/05/2007, 09:13 AM	#4
KaniRyde Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 96	GoldStripe, what other e-ballasts do you suggest? All I heard about is Icecap so I thought they were one of the best, I'VE also heard of ARO e-ballast. And lumenarc reflectors re too big, the smmallest they have is the stealth and they are still too big.

06/05/2007, 10:33 AM	#6
TwistedTiger Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: B.R. La. Posts: 925	Find a way to make the Luminarcs fit, 13X12X7 isn't that big.

06/05/2007, 08:52 PM	#10
GobyJohnKenobi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 413	Magnetic ballasts will run you DE bulb brighter, they will draw over 300 watts on a magnetic ballast. PFO makes a good one. If you are limited on space, take a look at the 250W Giesemann Nova II. It's a great light in a very small, atractive and well thought out pendant with a magnetic ballast with a digital starter. Check marinedepot.com for them.

06/06/2007, 08:26 AM	#11
KaniRyde Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 96	Can some one post a pic of the PFO New Mini Pendant I've only seen pictures of the bottom but never from the side. I'd like to know what it looks like and if it has vents like the RO III.

06/06/2007, 09:17 AM	#12
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,057	Rich - I'm curious too about the IC churning through bulbs. What criteria do you use? Which bulbs? Did you have PAR readings? I change out every 12 mos. one at a time. I can see a difference but it doesn't appear major.