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Any thoughts on this lighting solution?

M

mott768

If you buy from Aquatraders your really taking a chance!!! do a search on RC and you'll see why... Horrible customer service, bulbs are usually broken in shipping and are considered FREE so you won't get replacements amongst other things, They have 10 different selling names on ebay and everyone of them have negs.
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

Yeah, I couldn't get any straight answers on it. the "Tx" is the size of the bulb, from what I've beent old. I think it is just a less expensive "T5". :)

As for aquatraders, yeah, I've heard the horror stories. I took the chance, and all was good for me. The bulbs were installed in the fixture and had bubble wrap between the bulbs and the acrylic shield to keep them from moving. The fixture was wrapped in bubble wrap and inside a card board box, which was then wrapped in bubble wrap and inside a second shipping box filled with packing peanuts. It arrived within a week (which is acceptable to me) and the light worked perfectly right out of the box.

But, I would understand the hesitancy to deal with them. I was hesitant for a long time, but then figured, what the heck and gave them a try.

Hello lights has a 48" dual T5 strip $47.00, but it isn't HO, it's only 28 watts per bulb as opposed to 54watts on the HO bulbs, so the penetration might not be as good.

http://www.hellolights.com/48aqt5dolist.html

I also have the 24" version of that on my 10 gallon, and it is really bright, but the 10 gallon isn't that tall. ;D

Just another option. :)

(can you tell I've checked out just about every option I could find cause I'm a cheap skate?? ;D )
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

That's what I'd do! That's the same fixture I have, and I love it over my 55. And believe me, that's a helluva deal he's got fer ya! ;D

Take the drive, it'll be worth it. Plus, I'm sure Tom has a wealth of information he could share with you while your there. ;D

Then, when you upgrade your tank (notice the WHEN), you can do the same thing I'm going to do and use the fixture for actinic supllementation with MH retros. ;D
 
M

mott768

If I can offer any help I'd be glad to give it :) A tank anysize always turns into a ( WHEN I UPGRADE) I Finlay got my friend into the hobby and he has only had the tank since Nov. he's allready taking about upgrading..lol
 
R

RevClyburn

For what it's worth, keep your eyes opn on RC, I got my 6x54 Tek fixtur for $238 shipped, a real steal. It came with bulbs, and looks great. I also just got some brackets for $40, another bargain. Just have to watch the boards. I'll keep my eyes open for you, if you want me too, lmk. There are bargains out there, just have to be the first to get to them. And as others have said, I too have read some negative things about Aquatraders, and decided to shy away from them because of the negative post on RC.

rev
 
M

mott768

mfisher2112 said:
That's what I'd do! That's the same fixture I have, and I love it over my 55. And believe me, that's a helluva deal he's got fer ya! ;D

Take the drive, it'll be worth it. Plus, I'm sure Tom has a wealth of information he could share with you while your there. ;D


Then, when you upgrade your tank (notice the WHEN), you can do the same thing I'm going to do and use the fixture for actinic supllementation with MH retros. ;D
Click to expand...


Thanks for the recommendation mfisher2112 ;D


Hey Rev I think I'm giving a good deal since the light is new and no where near the $230 retail price
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

Hey Rev, he wants to keep corals, so yeah, I'd say T5 is the minimum. Sometimes PC lighting can be ok for some corals, but from what I've read, it seems to be 50/50 on success vs not success.

I guess it depends on what, where, etc. (as with most things in this hobby! ;D )
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

PC would probably be ok for introductory softies.

I guess it depends on how "deep" he wants to get into corals, and how fast. ;D

I know for me, it progressed pretty darn fast! LOL!

Can't hurt to ask him, right?
 
M

mott768

RevClyburn said:
Oh

okay, I have a 4x55 pc fixture I'm not using. Maybe I should save it for an emergency, you never know.
Click to expand...

That's what I did with my old PC lights, you never know when something can happen, I keep spare power heads, pumps, heaters and that cheep light just in case. Too many times I had things go wrong and it would always be at night when the stores were closed. Beter to be safe than sorry.
 
S

Subliminal

NJRC Member
Thanks, guys. I think I'm going to try and head over to Tom's River and just pick up Mott's light. He seems like a helluva nice guy, and the price is right, and it sounds like exactly what I need.

Thanks for the lookout...I've been keeping my eyes peeled on both rc and manhattanreefs and here and aquaria central.

Not that my job is boring or anything. ;)
 
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