MH Ballast/Reflector/Bulb Options

[frankthetank]

I'm in the market now for a MH pendant only (no actinic supplementation).
Understanding that I enjoy a blue/actinic look to my reef tanks (something that brings out the flourescents extremely well) what are some good options. I will be getting a 250w set up for a 36g corner tank. And I'm leaning towards SPS.
I have heard good things about the Phoenix 14k... but is it blue/actinic enough for my taste? Don't know.
How do you like Hamilton Technology? I could get a Reefstar 2 Mogul based 250w 20k with magnetic ballast. How does 20k affect SPS? Enough PAR?
What about an Ice Cap 250w Electronic ballast w/ Reef Optix 3 reflector?
Throw me some opinions on the above.

 

[scsinet]

Hamilton is nice enough stuff as long as it isn't their lamps.
I'd take an Icecap ballast any day of the week over a magnetic though.
Even a 20K lamp won't produce that fluorescing effect the way that you are used to. A 20K lamp might be your best bet barring supplemental actinic, but since there isn't anything else to supplement that, your tank will look really blue. At the same time, your corals will have great color, but not as much growth.
I'd look into the XM 15K, it's a tad bluer than the 14K, but it will help your fluorescing a bit more.

 

[markeo99]

I have 14k phoneix bulbs and icecap ballast when mh are on actnics can be on or off and you cant tell I like them plenty blue

 

[frankthetank]

The best of both worlds would be if I could get flourescent color & some growth. So an ice cap ballast & Phoenix 14k would give me both? If so, I'll stick to my original plan.