Best Ballast and Reflector combination?

[WayneL333]

Hello all experts out there.

I'm looking to buy two 250W MH setups. In your opinion, what's the best Ballast, bulb and reflector combination?

My preference is for SE and I was thinking of either the electronic Icecap or Sunlight Supply Galaxy electronic with the Lumenarc III reflector.

Thanks in advance!

~ W

[M0oN]

Lumenarc III hands down - IceCap are the best ballasts I know of but I haven't looked really deeply into lighting equipment for years (I worked for a sister company of Hellolights for a while a few years back).

As far as bulbs go it depends on if you're going mogul or DE and what K rating you're looking for.

[discotu]

really depends on your tank specs as different reflectors put out different patterns..but if you're considering the Lumenarc III you might want to consider the lumen max elite. I think that's what i am going for when i am ready to switch out my lights.

[29reef]

Do you want to be able to dim and controll the MH? There's the ultra nice Italian (sgfoli? Or something like that I forget) they have a special processor that allows you a lot more controll over the lights. I believe you can get them in de and se. For the more economic choice L3 with icecap electronic ballast. As for bulb 20k radium seems to be a very nice color and growth for MH only. HTH

[discotu]

sfiligoi is the company...the dimmer is called the ACLS and is just the ballast...I used to have one, and while it does have a lot of controllable light features including dimming, IMO it's not worth the $1k+ price tag. It comes in 250w and 400w and can control their (over priced) light fixtures or your retrofit.

[M0oN]

TBH outside of LED systems which have both white and blue lights staggered between eachother I don't see a huge point in dimming.

[bromion]

Quite happy with IceCaps, Lumenarc Minis, and 250W Radium SE.

[ADMTyPeReEf-eR]

Galaxy+radium+Elite lumen.= the best

[Gooli]

that would be my choice too

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14995061#post14995061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ADMTyPeReEf-eR
Galaxy+radium+Elite lumen.= the best

[NVTE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14995061#post14995061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ADMTyPeReEf-eR
Galaxy+radium+Elite lumen.= the best

2nd to that.
Elite Lumen or Lumen Bright.

[Jflip2002]

Lumenarc, Ice cap, Radium here.

[JOSE CASAS]

NNOOOOO dont tell me ur back. If so SLS galaxy-raduims-lamenmax elite or similiar reflector.

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14997223#post14997223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSE CASAS
NNOOOOO dont tell me ur back. I was thinking the same thing.

As for recommendation. Galaxy/Radium but without knowing the footprint of the tank, I cannot give a recommendation on a reflector.

[WayneL333]

lol...actually. I'm not back. I'm almost embarrassed to say it's for a planted discus tank.

I still admire reef tanks from afar, but I definitely don't miss the maintenance of them.

My tank dimensions are 64x36x30.

Thanks everyone for your input.