Cheap lighting HQI... to good to be true?
 

Brand new 48" 250w hqi setup for $338 with free shipping.... Thats over a 1k setup What am I missing?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/48-Metal-Halide-H...item3f04aebf5a

Do you think their HQI bulbs are going to be the same as say phoenix or coralife? They are a 1/4 of the price...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/150W-150-WATT-14K...item3ef8b1efd4

The fixture itself looks like a coralife aqualight pro knock off. From the pctures the actinic reflectors look just like the coralife. I can't quite tell what the MH reflector looks like. My gut feeling is that this is a Chinese knock off of the original fixture... And a decent looking one at that. The price isn't too far off that for a decent coralife fixture.

The ballast is UL certified (good) and is probably alright but could be replaced if needs be.

As for the bulbs, jury is out there but at $14 the price is almost in significant and it doesn't hurt to try.

In my opinion, a lot of lighting systems get by on hype. If it looks like a decent build it'll probably cut the mustard. The only thing you MIGHT find in low build quality/poor finishing.

looks like an oddysea fixture to me

champion lighting sells these fixtures under the blue wave (possibly something else) brand. they sell more than just lighting under that brand name. the ballasts are probably just as good as of the other ballasts manufactured in china for i assume they are all made at the same plant given their design.

+1 They arn't too bad now adays with the magnetic ballasts

I don't know about the fixture/reflectors. Bit I use cheap Chinese bulbs that my friend got for me. They were about $12 each and I bought 3 years worth (9 bulbs for just over$100). As you cansee from my pictures in the TOTM page. I get decent growth and colours. It doesn't hurt to try.

for that price and free shipping... why not give it a try? everything can always get upgrade or retrofit later on.

If I have to setup another tank, I might even consider this. The saving will just go into live stock or other equipments.

Just a note that's not an hqi fixture. Those are electronic ballasts =)

Would that not make it a better light with electronic ballasts?

Generally speaking less electrical usage which is good but less par as well. Everything is electronic now for the most part.