Too Good To be True? HQI/T5 Lights on Ebay

[knpjdad]

I assume this is one of those too good to be true type of things... So I thought I should ask if anyone knows anything about these lights before I get sucked into something I'll regret! :rolleyes:

I'm guessing: You get what you pay for.. :hmm4:

Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-4-ft-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-HO-Marine-Reef-Light-716W_W0QQitemZ110466297194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b84ded6a

If the link dosen't work: It's item number: 110466297194

[woody283]

That is an oddysea fixture. ive got the 36" with pc and so far no problems. There is a long post about them. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1688567

[knpjdad]

Well cool! That was fast, and simple!!
Thanks for the link!

I love RC!!

[bhazard451]

I have the 24" one with t5's and I love mine. It's been working flawlessly ever since I got it.

Yeah the reflector is cheap aluminum, and yeah the bulbs arent that great, but the choice was that or spend $500+. Easy choice.

[woody283]

The stock bulbs do suck in color, but they will get replaced any way. And glad to help. If i woudnt have found these lights, my tank woulndnt be set up. i couldnt see myself spending 900$ on a light.

[HOBrien]

I have 2 36" 4 bulb fixrtures and also a 48" 4bulb fixture from Aquatraders

[knpjdad]

Okay!! Well thanks guys! I think I'll give it them a try. I've read through most of the thread above, and they sound okay to. Like you say. Going to replace bulbs anyway, and if a ballast goes out, I still have a little money in my pocket to buy a new brand name ballast!

[knpjdad]

BTW: Aquatraders.com is $20.00 cheaper then ebay! LOL!

[bhazard451]

BTW: Aquatraders.com is $20.00 cheaper then ebay! LOL!

Aquatraders is a shady company though, and they dont have the new models. They dont even list the 24" w T5 one that I have.

[kingb4c0]

I don't know how they are building the lights fixture now but years ago i almost burn my house with one crappy Odyssea ligth, i would not recommend that ligth to noboby!

[uncleof6]

Read my signature: :D

[fox2589]

keep in mind these fixtures are prob not UL listed..-Drew

[woody283]

I don't know how they are building the lights fixture now but years ago i almost burn my house with one crappy Odyssea ligth, i would not recommend that ligth to noboby!

That was years ago and different ballast. It was all talked about in the thread above. I also have a 20 " that i bought off ebay years ago and read the stories of them burning up so i replaced the ballast. the new ballast dont compare to the old. You wont be dissapointed with the fixture.

[Rotknee]

knpjdad I owe you one big time!:beer: I followed your link and discovered the seller had the 760w CF version available and I bought that puppy! This guy ships fast and I should have my light tomorrow!!! Surprisingly he is out of Texas but shipped from California? No taxes and no problems for me. I'm happy b/c I get it faster.

I was going to go with the $1000 Reef Illuminations fixture before I saw this deal. Again, many thanks for the link my friend.:thumbsup:

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Reef-Marine-Light-760W-2x-250_W0QQitemZ300387015273QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45f0761a69

[jrp1588]

Why'd you get the CF version? T5 is better than CF. Either way, a buddy of mine had these and he said he liked them a lot. I was going to buy one, but I don't want to pay for a chiller and a high electric bill to go with it, so I went all t5's

[TampaSnooker]

just got an odyssea 4 x 48 t5 delivered. fixture is nice but timer is confusing and has no battery backup. you have to reset it everytime the power goes off. I can live with that by using a power backup.

BUT

the bulbs arrived smashed and the company is trying to make me pay to reship bulbs when this should be between them and UPS. I knew that they were going to be poor quality bulbs when I bought, but c'mon - this is shady. No credit, no replacement = no future orders from this company.

[stevetcg]

Ive bought 2 different fixtures from aquatraders - a 4x54 48" T5 and a 2x65 30" PC.

Im not wild about the mounts that came with them or the fans (little loud and not big) but for a first entry into the high powered light field, not a bad choice. The cords are heavy duty and I have no complaints. Sure, the bulbs are cheap and will need replacing, but you get what you pay for.

The site seems sort of backwoods and the shipping (bought 4 products at the same time... came in 5 separate shippings from 4 different locations) is hokey and overpriced. As for their rep... my thinking is "use the Amex. If there is a problem, they will deal with it".

ymmv