Whats the best MH hood/ pendants to get?

G

guitareefs

Premium Member
First off, I'm still learning lighting for reefs. Which is better, if better at all, MH hoods or pendants (adding supplemental lighting)?

And, I don't know what brand of hood is best, what pendant is best?

And ballasts, what do you look for in ballasts?

Thanks!
 
It really depends on what you are trying to do and the shape of the tank.

Give us some more info on your set up and what you are trying to do.

A lot of it is really just what is aesthetically pleasing to you.
 
Well, I just meant in general what is better to get, but I guess you're right. I just didn't know if a hood was better vs a pendant or pendant better than hoods.

Well, I'm planning (have been planning for a while and will continue on planning) a 150 gallon reef. I'm gonna try to get it SPS dominated eventually. It will be a long tank.

I know what bulbs and what mixture of lighting I want:
10K Reeflux bulbs with supplemental blue lighting (super actinic VHOs)
But I don't know what hood/pendant is better and what brand is better and what ballasts is better.

Right now, I'm considering buying a 46 gallon bowfront, and I'm wanting to know about lighting for that as well.

Thanks
 
If I had the money I would go with a Sfiligoi Infinity XR6 with ACLS addon. Since I can't afford it I think the AB and Geissmann hoods are nice. If I could buy a new hood today I would get something with HO t5's instead of the powercompacts in my current setup.
 
I have 2 of the REEF OPTIX™3 pendants on my 75g. I couldn't be happier.
I don't use any actinics (15k XM's are blue enough for me), but if I did I would go with HO T5's. As much or more light than VHO or PC and less power draw/heat.
As far as ballasts go I would get electronic vs. magnetic. They use less juice and produce less heat. I'm using the 2x 250w DUAL GALAXY™ ELECTRONIC REMOTE BALLAST. With both being Sunlight Supply products the pendants and ballast are "plug & play".
 
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