Mini HQI set-ups - experience with them?

[D-Nak]

Hello all,

I'm planning to set up a 120 gallon tank (4' x 2' x 2') and I was looking into purchasing a pair of 250 watt HQI set-ups to mount in a canopy. I don't like the look of a tall canopy, nor do I like the look of hanging the lights above the tank, so the new "low profile" or "mini" HQI systems would be a solution.

Here are 2 that I found:
1. PFO Lighting HQI Mini Metal Halide Pendant (more info.)
2. Hamilton 250W Low-Profile 1MH REEFSTAR System (more info.)

Are there other kits like these? Does anyone have experience with them? How about comments on the 2 brands? Positive and negative comments are all welcome.

Thanks!

D-Nak

 

[humu]

I don't have them, but most people say they don't spread out enough of an area and can be a little yellow.

 

[golfish]

Yeah, You'll need a pretty tall hood (12-16") to get cover the whole tank with PFO mini pendants. Does the tank have a cross bar? I use 2 of them on a 48"long x 24"tall x 30"wide tank. There's no way they can cover all that area. There are other units tho.

I too feel the Ushio 10K's are kind of yellow. I have read the AB bulbs are a hint more on the blue side. I'm waiting for the day they maake them in 20K

 

[D-Nak]

The tank has a center crossbar. I'd like to avoid using a tall canopy. What if I used 4 150 watt HQIs instead of 2 250 watt fixtures to spread out the light more?

Also, I'm planning to supplement the halides with two VHO actinics, and maybe even 2 VHO daylight bulbs to avoid any hotspots from the halides. Since the tank is 24" wide, and the HQI fixtures are small everything should fit.

I agree that the Ushio bulbs are a bit yellow, but I think I can get a good mix with the actinics. I used to have 250 watt Iwasakis, and those are on the yellow side, but look okay with the actinics. I hope to get similar results.

Any more opinions? I need to get this all set up before my baby arrives in June (my wife set the deadline!) HELP!!!!

Thanks,

D-Nak

 

[Maximus1]

D-nak,
Your in luck. I have the hamilton 250 watt hqi pendant enclosed in a canopy. I can say, without a doubt, that you can get plenty of spread from a hamilton on your 4ft tank. If you have 2 pendants, and get a canopy that was 6-7 in tall, your tank would look awsome. The pfo mini pendants do not give you good spread as stated above. The Hamiltons do. Ive had 2 of the hamiltons, 1 about 4-5 yrs old and I have never had a problem with it. I just got a new slim line pendant a few months ago for my 58g which is 3ft long and it provides great spread in my 7in tall canopy. It provides almost 3ft of spread. Thus on a 4ft tank, 2 pendants would look awsome, and will provide plenty of spread. Hth.

 

[D-Nak]

Hi maximus. Thanks for the info. You wouldn't happen to have any pictures would you?

D-Nak