Aquatraders MH fixtures

[balistidae]

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these? The prices are amazing but I have read some sort of sketchy reviews on some of there old stuff (Fires!). Apparently that all has been solved with electronic ballasts.
Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[xtreme]

There is a ridiculously large thread on RC regarding these fixtures. Check that out for a tonne of info. I purchased one of these lights a year and half or so ago and have had to do a few upgrades to it to get it where I wanted my lighting to be. Have a look at this thread as well for some useful info.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=46461

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by xtreme

I purchased one of these lights a year and half or so ago and have had to do a few upgrades to it to get it where I wanted my lighting to be.

And that's the key point. They are cheap and they seem to have worked out the fire issues (although whether they are CSA/UL compliant is another matter). BUT most, if not all, people end up having to "upgrade" the ballasts and bulbs. So you're paying twice and having to spend time and effort DIYing things so at the end of the day how much are you really saving especially with the crummy exchange rate nowadays? You may end up paying less for a used higher quality fixture without the hassle.

[xtreme]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

You may end up paying less for a used higher quality fixture without the hassle.

I agree, after changing lamps and ballasts you will be close to the price of a higher quality fixture. I think it depends on what you plan on keeping. For softies this light will do the job, and LPS will probably be ok as well. If you plan on keeping SPS now or down the road, plan on spending some money to upgrade, or just bite the bullet and buy a better fixture right off the bat. HTH.

[balistidae]

i just was on there live help (which is pretty slick BTW). She told me all of the fire issues were problems with the mag ballasts, they have now gone electronic. As far as CSA approval she told me all the fixutures are CE approved (europe). Does anyone know how that stacks up against our CSA?
Sounds like this fixture will be what I am looking for, the tank is going to be mainly fish with possibly a few softies and lps.

[mseepman]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

And that's the key point. They are cheap and they seem to have worked out the fire issues (although whether they are CSA/UL compliant is another matter). BUT most, if not all, people end up having to "upgrade" the ballasts and bulbs. So you're paying twice and having to spend time and effort DIYing things so at the end of the day how much are you really saving especially with the crummy exchange rate nowadays? You may end up paying less for a used higher quality fixture without the hassle.

I have to say...I think the Aquatraders fixtures are great for what they are meant to do. They are great entry level lights and with a little modification, they become great mid level lights.

Just think...24" Coralife 250W Aqualight pro at J&L (the cheapest price around) is $689.95 CAD while an Aquatraders equivalent is $169 US. The coralife comes with a pretty crappy bulb (compared to some out there) and nothing special in the way of a magnetic ballast. The Aquatraders comes with a really crappy bulb and an electronic ballast that doesn't rank very highly. Throw a Lumatek ballast and a 14K Phoenix bulb at the Aquatraders and you probably have more light than a Coralife for less money still.

Just my 2 cents though.

*Edit*...and for just $99 you can have a 250W 24" MH fixture with moonlights. Includes ballast and bulb.

[xtreme]

I agree mseepman, it is a good entry level light. I would take one of these over a coralife any day, as you mentioned in your post they are much cheaper and IME very comparable to the coralife.

[balistidae]

ordered, I will let you guys know what I think once it arrives

[balistidae]

well it showed up, no brokerage fees which was nice BUT when i took it out of the box i noticed something loose inside. opened it up and found the monster cooling fan not secured whatsoever. the loose fan damaged the reflector pretty good.
They are shipping out a new fan and reflector for me, we will see how it goes from there

[mseepman]

Wow, that's a bit painful. How was their customer service? On the new site it appears like it might be a lot better than the old service setup.