Aquatraders MH fixtures

mseepman · #1 04-01-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

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 · #2 04-01-2009, 10:29 PM

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 · #3 04-02-2009, 05:19 AM

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

Rbacchiega · #4 04-02-2009, 04:13 PM

I've had the 48" 2x250MH +4x65 PC actinics on my 90 for a couple months. Now that I'm starting to convert this tank (like every other tank I own it seems) into a predominantly SPS tank, the lights, I find don't cut it the way they are. I'll probably go buy new ballasts and new bulbs to up the umph...or I'll sell it and pick up an 8 bulb t5 unit instead....

good for if you're going mainly LPS or softies though with a few lower light SPS along the way

jon.smolders · #5 04-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balistidae

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

How much was the shipping to Canada? ...the shipping calculator on their site wouldn't work for me.

xtreme · #6 04-02-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon.smolders

How much was the shipping to Canada? ...the shipping calculator on their site wouldn't work for me.

Don't forget, if they ship with UPS expect to pay the brokerage fee once it gets to your door.

fkshiu · #7 04-02-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtreme

Don't forget, if they ship with UPS expect to pay the brokerage fee once it gets to your door.

Good point - the dreaded UPS fee is always quite a big shock the first time you get hit with it. It's best to get a PO box in Blaine or Pt. Roberts and do the brokering yourself for free. Customs will also waive the GST/PST occassionally depending on the value of the item when you bring things across in person.

Ron99 · #8 04-02-2009, 05:22 PM

You can also clear UPS parcels through customs yourself but it takes about an hour of your time and helps if you have UPS and Customs offices near each other like at the Vancouver airport.

Also, you could ask Aquatraders (or other vendors) if they will ship USPS or even FedEx instead of UPS. Often I find they will do that rather than lose a sale.