+1

That really sucks... i was thinking about getting something from them myself. I just have a hard time wanting to dish out $1000 for a new light fixture......

Its pretty common for companies to not pay shipping when returning items.

I use the T5 fixtures in store and found them to be excellent (not one problem in 6 months).
Kevin

I will have now paid $120 (shipping + restocking fees) for a $99 fixture that I dont even have haha

boo that noise. Is there anyway you could keep the unit and salvage what you can out of it? I know with my odysea unit (aquatraders) I plan on swapping out bulbs and ballasts when the time comes (in a couple months)

You will be quite amazed at the difference new ballasts will make. Well worth the upgrade.

my problem is cooling the thing. When the fixture came the fan was loose inside the fixture and one of the fan fins was busted off and somehow got out of the fixture and got into the box, weird. They then sent a replacement fan and I wired it in, pushing air into the fixture, this also seemed weird to me. Within 10 minutes of the light running my whole house smelled of burning plastic and the fan was already toast. I am just not even sure what to do now, I love how the light lights the tank up but I want it to be safe. Who knew a light could be so stressful.

Come in and see me and bring it in I have a replacement fan (not sure if it's the right one) but we can check.
Kevin

The tough reality is that a lot of light manufacturers aren't pushing quality anymore. I paid an outrageous figure for my Coralife Aqualight pro and when I opened it up, many of their connections inside had burned up and were an extreme fire risk. I re-wired it with T5's at that time and used proper connectors. It's a good thing I decided to make the mod otherwise I would have assumed they were past such mistakes.

Many new fixtures leave a smell when they first start as they're adjusting to the heat generated by the MH. I would inspect the wiring and then keep it if you can.