72" Lights from Aquatraders

[my2rotties]

Well the tank is cycling and we have decided to sell the two sets of 3 foot Tek LIghts and go with a 72" unit with the MH built into them. I see the $1300 lights from Coral Life and such but there is a company called Aquatraders and they have the same type of lights (have no clue whom makes them), for under $600 brand new. Here is the link for the lights.

http://WWW.AQUATRADERS.COM/72-1134W-...c-ballast.aspx

I know generally you get what you pay for, but at half the price I am seriously looking at them.

Any insight would be most appreciated.

My 260g tank build
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30861436@N08/?saved=1

[my2rotties]

Okay I phoned the company and was told the lights are made in China and are generic lights. I know some things from CHina should not be bought, but what about these lights. They are $589 plus $65 shipping to my address in Alberta. They seem like such a fantastic deal, but are they?

[fkshiu]

They don't have the best of reputations and you do get what you pay for. Many people have bought from them and are happy, but there also seems to be an uncomfortably high number of people around who are not happy as well.

On the other hand, all the Coralife stuff is made in China as well.

However, the tipping factor may be that I don't think the Aquatraders stuff is CSA approved. So if it starts a fire (MH ballasts and SW are bad together) your house insurance will not cover the damage.

[my2rotties]

Thanks so much for the info... Not being approved is a HUGE factor since I want house insurance and I don't want to burn it down... my cooking alone comes close to torching the joint Well that stinks, I did not even consider the fact that people can sell things that are not CSA approved. I think I will phone back and ask about this but the girl was not the most helpful when I called the first time. I appreciate the info and am glad you knew that... do adds generally state CSA approved and the like. How do I find this out?

Originally Posted by fkshiu

They don't have the best of reputations and you do get what you pay for. Many people have bought from them and are happy, but there also seems to be an uncomfortably high number of people around who are not happy as well.

On the other hand, all the Coralife stuff is made in China as well.

However, the tipping factor may be that I don't think the Aquatraders stuff is CSA approved. So if it starts a fire (MH ballasts and SW are bad together) your house insurance will not cover the damage.

[Trigger Man]

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Thanks so much for the info... Not being approved is a HUGE factor since I want house insurance and I don;t want to burn it down... my cooking alone comes close to torching the joint Well thack stinks, I did not even consdier the fact that people can sell things that are not CSA approved. I think I will phone back and ask about this but the girl was not the most helpful when I called the first time. I appreciate the info and am glad you knew that... do adds generally state CSA approved and the like. HOw do I find this out?

You can get the customer service people there to check on the box or on the item. If it is CSA appoved it will have a the CSA sticker on it. You can also contact the Canadian Inspection department for that industry and they should be able to help

[mark]

dp

[mark]

I wouldn't so much worry about the CSA sticker and a insurance payout as the product is legally available to the consumer but from a safety point in theory doesn't hurt (could tell you stories of the ex's job in a lamp factory when we were back east, or even the inspection process I was involved with for Radar systems).

[xtreme]

I have one of these units and ended up upgrading all 3 ballasts and all 3 lamps and the difference in brightness and color was unreal. I thought it was a great deal but after adding the costs of the upgrades I could have and probably would have purchased a different brand. Beware of Coralife as its quality is comparable to the aquatraders light. I have seen coralife lights with new ballasts and the difference was also huge. I would not recommend a coralife light.


There is also a HUGE thread on RC regarding this light if you feel like spending all day reading about them. LOL

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

[my2rotties]

Thanks for the info everybody, I will make a coffee and take a look at the thread. I did not know you could upgrade the lights, and it does sound expensive in the long run... My tank is 30" deep and I am wanting the light to get to the bottom. I learned when I bought this house and the 55g salt water tank was left behind that I only want to buy things once. I am strong believer in you get what you pay for, but then again if I can get the same quality for less, I am a happy camper.

[xtreme]

When I say upgrade i mean I changed out the ballasts that came with it for Icecap's and Vertex ballasts. The difference in brightness was like night and day. I then changed out the odyssea lamps with ushio and the color went from yellow to a nice crisp white/blue.