Reef Optix MH Pendants

[checkrazr]

Hi - Wanted to know what y'all thought of Reef Optix III 250W MH Pendants with Blue Wave ballasts. Also, since the casing is electrogalvanized steel, does it run a lot hotter than aluminum and will it raise the water temp significantly in a 50 gallon tank? I live in the east bay so wondering if this is big concern during the summer months. The depth of my tank is 20 inches. Was thinking of using these in a canopy also. Thanks!

 

[Raddogz]

Yes, it (the casing) runs hot to the touch compared to a Lumenarc pendant.

The lumenarcs are cool until you get to the very top portion where it gets toasty.

 

[checkrazr]

Thanks Eileen. I wanted to go Lumenarc minis but they won't fit my tank.

 

[Raddogz]

Check out the lumenbrights sizes as well

 

[checkrazr]

Thanks...checked but they're a little too wide also. Oh well...the hunt continues.

 

[sfsuphysics]

You might run into the same issue with every DE pendent you run across simply because the glass shield tends to hold in a lot of the heat. I think hellolights has an ok DE reflector minus the black steel outer part for around $40. Shouldn't raise the temperature of your water by any significant amount. Besides if you're that worried, it wouldn't cost too much more to throw a computer fan up to blow across the reflector.

 

[checkrazr]

Good point Mike. LOL - I'm just thinking during the summer months the reflectors will be keeping cooler than I will if there's a fan on them.

 

[Raddogz]

They will run hot no matter what - they'll just seem to run hotter during the summer months. When I mean hot I mean you can't put your hand on it hot. This is one reason why I am not a huge fan of them.