I'm buying new lights-need opinions

[jasonkozey]

Here is a link to 1 unit i'm looking at. My fear is, it is off of ebay but I've been in long discussions with this company already so that is making me more interested. This unit does only have 2 ballasts-1 for halides, 1 more T5s (maybe a bad thing should there be problems) 3-250w halides & 2-150W are also an option for about the same price (Similar to Darrens set up)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7741317242&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

To my door I can have this unit shipped for $940 US. That includes moonlights & changing the bulbs to T5's instead of PC (same price)

The similar unit is at Ocean aquatics

https://www.oceanaquatics.com/view_product.php?product=HL-A63HQI4PC

For $1500-booo

Darren can you post your link for your lights as i'm interested in them as well. Darren what do you think of the 1st set? I'll phone Wendel still to see what kind of a deal he can get me.

Darren's lights have a few nice features-5 seperate ballasts 1 per light!!! No fans req'd as its open too.

Is this the site that the lights come from? http://www.aquadirect.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=321

[stinga]

THose fixtures seem okay...................................But I would just go to J&L for the aqua light pro or a Hamilton tech....JMO:)

[sphelps]

A couple things you need to be careful of: The T5's you should find out the size, the wattage and the brand of the bulbs. Make sure they are true HO T5's. 48" bulbs should be 54W, 36" bulbs should be 39W. The german ATI bulbs are the best T5 bulbs by far.


Also maybe do some research on the type of halide bulbs that are included, some brands of 250W DE put out a pretty crappy spectrum, so be careful of that.

Other than that hood looks good!

[shroom]

The T5' bulbs will be by catalina,this is the same company that we bought from.Jason, i think my dad sent u a pm.

[Invigor]

I believe darren's is one of these: http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/products.php?category=Lighting&product=Oceanlight%20Metal%20Halide%20Series

Still not sure why you want to spend money on a pretty fixture versus a simply functional setup, since it's going to be behind a wall..

the lists of places that sell them:http://www.aqua-medic.com/dealers/view.php?country=Canada&state=None

I saw the fixture for sale in medicine hat for about $2200 :| it was the 5x DE MH one

[Asmodeus]

Jason I know we have got on the wrong track ,so have you tried calling Quinn at
www.prairiereefsupplies.ca (http://www.prairiereefsupplies.ca) give it a shot

He just started out and his prices on the ballasts are pretty cheap...Tell him that i sent you ok. and no i dont get a discount just trying to help a good freind get going on his home business


Mike

Hope this helps ya out on savign a few reefing dollars...

[jasonkozey]

1st, Na Cl H20 Reefer don't worry about it & thanks for the link. I did end up buying the set of lights from the ebay company(www.aquauniverse.com (http://www.aquauniverse.com/)). Yes they are the same that you shroom bought your lights from. I spoke a long time with them on the phone and the service thus far has been great. I elected to go with the PCs instead of the T5's (which where 4 X 80w) so I get 6 X 96. The main reason is the T5's were an oddball 5' and expensive to ship and they didn't reccomend it. The bulbs are german bulbs too! They told me they were the same set-up as hamilton and have a 5 year non limited warranty! They have been around for 10years so they aren't a overnight ebay company. They said it'll be a while to ship as they install the moonlights and border crossing takes some time~2weeks.

Pictures to follow!