HELP!! Rapd HQI Lamp need to order

slow_leak · 12/18/2007, 08:30 PM

I am replacing a 2X250 !X150 Aqualine fixture that way too heavy to sanely mount over the tank. It was the older style before the remote ballasts came out.

The 2X250 blow a circuit and the 1X150 takes an hour light up sometimes for the last year. Might need all new ballasts before I resell it. I am set on replacing it instead of trying to get parts.

I am looking at two lamps to replace it with. Please help with my selection. They are in different price ranges. I keep sps up high and zoanthids and various other organisms below 1 foot in a 28" deep aquarium.

1. Outer Orbit 2X250 and 4X54T5
Like the out put and the simple case. Would have bought it already except for tar ballast with what looks like proprietary ballast to lamp connection. I could just replace in future otherwise.

2. Geissemann Infinity 2X250 4X54T5 fixture
Like the same output and case. Dislike have little access to replacement parts from Germany. Can't find hanging weight on website. Price is about 300 dollars out of line but won't be the decision maker. Can't confirm ballast is electronic either.

Any thoughts?? Will purchase tomorrow

glassbox-design · 12/18/2007, 08:36 PM

you're comparing apples to oranges, kia to porsche. giesemann is the winner imo hands down.

homebrewdude · 12/18/2007, 08:41 PM

I would spend a bit more time on some research before you dive into something else you will not like.

slow_leak · 12/18/2007, 09:11 PM

Last unit I liked till it broke. It ran very hot by design. I'm in a hurry because the old unit is almost down completely.

I narrowed selection to self contained units with 250X2HQI and 4X54T5. I want electronic remote ballast with universal fittings for future repair. I am not too hung up on original lamp temperatures.

Current has tar ballast with some kind with what looks like odd ball connectors.

I can't tell much of anything about Geissemann from sparse website. Any experience here other than being porche like? I can spend the money but why? I can tell housing is much nicer but I think service parts will be a real pain if not overseas.

Any owners with experience to help me? any other brands to consider. Not a life and death decision to me.........but any input would be appreciated

slow_leak · 12/18/2007, 10:53 PM

Looked at dealers sights. It turns out the Geisemann low loss ballast is still a magnetic ballast for the 2X250 plus 2X52 T5 so maybe it really isn't a porche.

It seems most if not all fixtures are magnetic unless upgrade now or later. This is a big minus for this fixture.

slow_leak · 12/19/2007, 08:29 PM

I decided to get 2 Lumitek Ballasts and gut the old Aqualine Busche unit I have with the magnetic ballasts with electronic starters and use the case again.

I'm hopping unit weighs half as much when I'm done. I think this is the best way as all fixtures I wanted were 2 -4 weeks for delivery and I am down to 1 150 watt lamp for 3 days. I can use the modular ballasts parts again in the future hopefully.

I like having simple replacement parts so could bare with another German unit with impossible replacement parts. I might get a PFO case in the future.

12/18/2007, 08:30 PM	#1
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	HELP!! Rapd HQI Lamp need to order I am replacing a 2X250 !X150 Aqualine fixture that way too heavy to sanely mount over the tank. It was the older style before the remote ballasts came out. The 2X250 blow a circuit and the 1X150 takes an hour light up sometimes for the last year. Might need all new ballasts before I resell it. I am set on replacing it instead of trying to get parts. I am looking at two lamps to replace it with. Please help with my selection. They are in different price ranges. I keep sps up high and zoanthids and various other organisms below 1 foot in a 28" deep aquarium. 1. Outer Orbit 2X250 and 4X54T5 Like the out put and the simple case. Would have bought it already except for tar ballast with what looks like proprietary ballast to lamp connection. I could just replace in future otherwise. 2. Geissemann Infinity 2X250 4X54T5 fixture Like the same output and case. Dislike have little access to replacement parts from Germany. Can't find hanging weight on website. Price is about 300 dollars out of line but won't be the decision maker. Can't confirm ballast is electronic either. Any thoughts?? Will purchase tomorrow

12/18/2007, 08:36 PM	#2
glassbox-design Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Posts: 3,041	you're comparing apples to oranges, kia to porsche. giesemann is the winner imo hands down. __________________ GLASSBOXDESIGN the modern reef blog LEDs are a 50,000 hr investment. Choose wisely. Current Tank Info: ...a new glassbox is coming

12/18/2007, 09:11 PM	#4
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	Last unit I liked till it broke. It ran very hot by design. I'm in a hurry because the old unit is almost down completely. I narrowed selection to self contained units with 250X2HQI and 4X54T5. I want electronic remote ballast with universal fittings for future repair. I am not too hung up on original lamp temperatures. Current has tar ballast with some kind with what looks like odd ball connectors. I can't tell much of anything about Geissemann from sparse website. Any experience here other than being porche like? I can spend the money but why? I can tell housing is much nicer but I think service parts will be a real pain if not overseas. Any owners with experience to help me? any other brands to consider. Not a life and death decision to me.........but any input would be appreciated __________________ Reef Savvy 151 low iron / Custom Stand / 20 Gallon external Refugium Reeflo Snapper / 2 - 6105 Tunzes / Large DC battery for Tunzes Just grow out 13 types of SPS and think that may be too many. Last edited by slow_leak; 12/18/2007 at 09:44 PM.

12/19/2007, 08:29 PM	#6
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	I decided to get 2 Lumitek Ballasts and gut the old Aqualine Busche unit I have with the magnetic ballasts with electronic starters and use the case again. I'm hopping unit weighs half as much when I'm done. I think this is the best way as all fixtures I wanted were 2 -4 weeks for delivery and I am down to 1 150 watt lamp for 3 days. I can use the modular ballasts parts again in the future hopefully. I like having simple replacement parts so could bare with another German unit with impossible replacement parts. I might get a PFO case in the future. __________________ Reef Savvy 151 low iron / Custom Stand / 20 Gallon external Refugium Reeflo Snapper / 2 - 6105 Tunzes / Large DC battery for Tunzes Just grow out 13 types of SPS and think that may be too many.

12/18/2007, 08:41 PM	#3
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	I would spend a bit more time on some research before you dive into something else you will not like.

12/18/2007, 10:53 PM	#5
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	Looked at dealers sights. It turns out the Geisemann low loss ballast is still a magnetic ballast for the 2X250 plus 2X52 T5 so maybe it really isn't a porche. It seems most if not all fixtures are magnetic unless upgrade now or later. This is a big minus for this fixture.