Too good to be true?

MrsLizard · #1 11/28/2006, 03:01 PM

I've been doing some research on my dream aquarium that I hope to get started on beginning of next year. I'v decided on a 48" wide 75 gallon tank. I would like to have sps, so of course I will need MH. I found this at aquatrader.com and the price just seems too low compared to hellolights. Any thoughts from those more experienced with this than I am??

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=275

fragaholic · #2 11/28/2006, 03:27 PM

Here ya go..... I would stay away.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...oto=nextnewest

MrsLizard · #3 11/28/2006, 03:31 PM

Thanks!! I thought it was too cheap. What would be a good brand? or any other suggestions?

fragaholic · #4 11/28/2006, 03:34 PM

some more threads...

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=781422

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

fragaholic · #5 11/28/2006, 03:36 PM

This is a good company with good reviews.

http://www.innovativelights.com/mehare.html

kdblove_99 · #6 11/28/2006, 04:02 PM

I really like www.hamiltontechnology.com.

Actually my father in law might be selling one very soon. its the 48" hood has 2- 175 watt halides in it and also 2 double compacts in it, think they are 96Watts each. Also comes with ballast one for the halides and one for the compacts.

Think he wants around $300 if he sells it

MrsLizard · #7 11/28/2006, 04:10 PM

Wow, those threads are scary!! Definitely not buying those!!

kdblove...I hope he still has it in Jan or Feb. It figures, I've been getting great offers from people, but no cash!!

Wee-Reef Master · #8 11/28/2006, 04:13 PM

I'm a Hamilton guy myself. No complaints. But there are a number of good lighting systems out there. Good luck!

xia · #9 11/28/2006, 04:14 PM

I wouldn't do three halides on a 48" tank. Two is enough.

fishsoldseprtly · #10 11/28/2006, 05:14 PM

I second XIA as well. 2 is more than enough.

MrsLizard · #11 11/28/2006, 06:55 PM

Oops, I posted the wrong link. I meant the one with 2 MH. Oh well, I'm not buying it anyways. I like my house too much!

jlfnjlf · #12 11/28/2006, 08:11 PM

This is the lighting solution I decided on for my 100g project.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...uterOrbit3.htm

I'm still saving my lunch money to buy it, but once I get past Christmas I'm ordering it. John at Your Reef will order for me at a competitive price.

Justin74 · #13 11/28/2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jlfnjlf
This is the lighting solution I decided on for my 100g project.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...uterOrbit3.htm

I'm still saving my lunch money to buy it, but once I get past Christmas I'm ordering it. John at Your Reef will order for me at a competitive price.

John, there are soo many alternatives for far superior lighting for so much more less lunch money.

-Justin

jlfnjlf · #14 11/29/2006, 12:04 AM

Justin,

Share with me your wisdom you must. Every time I try to put together the lighting system I want I end up over the price of this one. My parameters are 4 T5 bulbs with individual reflectors, 2 double ended 150W (Don't want to burn my softies) MH fixtures with electronic ballasts.

I have a healthy respect for electricity, so this is one area I am choosing to bite the bullet and not go DIY. I am not set on this light, but it seemed to meet all my needs. Not to mention I like the fact that it is all in one convenient package.

John

Justin74 · #15 11/29/2006, 12:37 AM

I was afraid of that

Ive witnessed your crafty work and figured this would be no exception, my apologiez. I have no clue as to how your setup will be, if it will have a canopy or an open top. If you wanted an open top that drastically reduces your options of course. Assuming this is your obsticle as far as fixtures are concerned I honestly cant say I could find one cheaper, but havent tried either

But, you still can get the best light sources over an open top, it just depends on how resourcefull you are, or of course, how deep your pocket is.

There was a person here forgive me for not remembering who, but had a lumenarc mounted on a support beam over his tank that also appeared to swing in a 360 direction if desired. It basically looked like looked like an upside down "L" that was mounted to a stand on the floor. I was very impressed by how simple, efficient, and "clean" it looked, kudos again if your reading this!

They also sell mounting racks to suspend above your tank, or you can use hanging wires. Get a Lumenarc mini from http://www.pacificgardensupply.com/products.asp?cat=2
and you have the potential for the best MH light available

or for T5's next to the best of the best would be
http://reefgeek.com/products/categor...ng/104193.html
You can also buy legs if you wish to put on your aquarium, or you can suspend. You can also pay the difference and have them swap out the reflectors for Icecaps giving you the best T5 fixture money can get you. Basically anything you can do to make your equipment as retro as possible only gives you the potential to always have the best for the life of you interest in this hobby. Lights are easily replaceable, true. But what happens if you get a lemon, and your ballast burns out? Or just burns out from normal use like they all eventually do anyway? Deal with the downtime sending it back for fixing? Buying a new one? Or, busting it open and making yourself go the expensive rout of retrofitting

But no way or piece of equipment is better than the one you chose that works best for you!

-Justin

Justin74 · #16 11/29/2006, 12:40 AM

Oops :/
Looking back I think I winked 2 to many times at you buddy! Dont want people to talk!

-Justin

Brian Prestwood · #17 11/29/2006, 01:08 AM

Dodged that bullet. Another satisfied MARS customer

Justin74 · #18 11/29/2006, 05:45 PM

Heres a 48" setup that is much better quality,light, and more efficient. Plus its 100$ cheaper than the orbits 48" version to boot! True individual parabolic reflectors Tek reflectors. But you'll need that to buy bulbs.

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104489.html

-Justin

DrDNA · #19 11/29/2006, 06:16 PM

I bought two of those 4' Maristar fixtures for my tank. Go through Reefgeek, I got the fixtures for $999 each including the fixture, choice of bulbs, Icecap MH ballasts, and support legs. I don't know if they are still doing this promotion, but you can always ask!
The one thing I don't like about the Maristar is that you have to take off the end of the fixture and slide out the glass to get to the bulbs. I think I might get some shorter pieces of glass cut to get around this problem. All in all they look a lot better built than the coralife fixtures (no plastic)!