Ninong or anyone: Which is better, the Icecap Mini HQI System or the PFO System?

[Grouper]

In an earlier message, Ninong wisely suggested the ICECAP 250 watt HQI Mini pendant as a Metal Halide solution (albeit an expensive one) for my short hood (~5" to water). I noticed that premium aquatics has a PFO Mini HQI system as well. Has Ninong or anyone heard which of these is better? The Icecap system is more expensive, but it also comes with a programmable timer.

Also, do you think I will need to supplement with Actinics under either one of these HQI 10,000K 250 watt systems ? The tank is 90 gallons and I will be using two (2) of these mini HQI systems. I have 2 X 96 watt PCs I could use if necessary.

Thanks for your help.

JA

[This message has been edited by Grouper (edited 01-19-2001).]

[Ninong]

Grouper ~

When it comes to 10,000K HQI double-ended lamps, actinic supplementation is strictly optional. It's not absolutely necessary but I would want to do it, if possible, in order to have dawn/dusk capability.

I have no experience with those fixtures so will not comment on "which is best." I will say that the new IceCap custom hoods (like the one SPASSE has) are manufactured by PFO but carry the IceCap name. You might want to select the one that would fit best; also, I think the IceCap timer is nice. PerryinCA has a couple of those and likes them.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[PerryinCA]

The timers are great, easy to operate, and never get 'off time'. As for the hoods that PA sells, Ninongs right, same hood, different accessories.

Personally I think the Icecap ballast is superior to the PFO for reason's I have stated many times....but PFO is a good brand as well.

The Icecap HQI ballasts will also run any other 10k lamp, and very likely the Iwasaki, save for maybe the Coralife. The PFO HQI ballast will only run the HQI (does that sound backwards? ). I have had much luck with the Icecap brand and would be the first to recommend it.

As for the Pendant itself, its likely the same thing, or as least VERY similar. In this case I think the higher price for Icecap is definitely justified.

-Perry

[Ironreef]

I thought only IC 175w could run all bulbs. hqi need a hqi ballast and no brand can run both. I would do a search on IC ,blueline and pfo I would also buy Marine fish and reef usa 2001 look at the ballast test. Try to accually look at all the ballast if possible. This way you can be sure of your cho$ce. Search all the bboards for and anser reefsorg,reef central ect...

[Ninong]

Ice Cap makes a 250-MHI ballast specifically for 250w Iwasaki lamps. They make a 250-MHP ballast for all other 250w lamps, including HQI double-ended.

Model 250-MHP

Used for lighting all other aquarium 250 watt bulbs, including double ended bulbs.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]



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Irrational Exuberance!

[Ironreef]

Yes I remeber them saying they were going to do this but I didn't think they did or even included the hqi.Thats pretty good. Now go to spasse post on ballast test and answer that for me if you will. I wonder how they did it? It sould be able to appy to all ballast maybe??I mean groupers post on Iwaski..........

[This message has been edited by Ironreef (edited 01-19-2001).]

[PerryinCA]

According to Andy, they are now using the same transformers for all of thier ballasts (250w). The differences are really small. That would explain why my MHC ( the coralife specific model) powers both AB 10k, and the Iwasaki 65k without any problem. He also said it should have no problem with the HQI.

-Perry