I NEED MH, opinions?

[dragonyze]

so the time has come for my PC hood to go and i want a MH pendant style fixture with PC actinics. as with most reefers budget is a HUGE concern (ok so im poor). Ive found this plug-and-play setup off ( of course) ebay and was wondering if anyone can find something obviously wrong with it that im missing. i mean, it comes with a FREE POUND of (freeze dried) brine shrimp!!!! how much better could it get?!?!?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Odyssea-20-223W-Metal-Halide-20k-15k-Brine-Shrimp_W0QQitemZ7763396846QQcategoryZ46314QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

[griss]

It looks like that seller is the same person as Aquatraders. They are selling the exact same items as Aquatraders. If that is the case, There are a lot of threads in the Feedback forum on Aquatraders and most of it is NOT good.

One (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=748960&highlight=aquatraders)

Two (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=513017&highlight=aquatraders)

Three (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=689775&highlight=aquatraders)

Four (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=711514&highlight=aquatraders)

Five (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=667179&highlight=aquatraders)

Six (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=637808&highlight=aquatraders)

Seven (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=599503&highlight=aquatraders)

Eight (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560668&highlight=aquatraders)

Nine (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=495483&highlight=aquatraders)

Ten (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=497737&highlight=aquatraders)

[dragonyze]

holy crap, thats just the stuff i was looking for. i appreciate the info and will look over these threads a little more. Like several people have said, you get what you pay for so the gamble is up to me and im not a very lucky person.......

[griss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7289426#post7289426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dragonyze
holy crap, thats just the stuff i was looking for. i appreciate the info and will look over these threads a little more. Like several people have said, you get what you pay for so the gamble is up to me and im not a very lucky person.......
I hear you. I was actually thinking about buying from them for a small prop tank I was going to set up eventually. But, I won't buy from them based on those threads. You can probably get a good deal in the selling forums here or going the DIY route through one of our sponsors.

Good luck.

[bertoni]

For my second MH setup, I chose to get quality parts, since my first setup seemed wimpy. Well worth the cost, from what I can see. This site has a lot of data on MH options:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

There's a wide range in efficiency of reflectors, bulbs, etc.

[UrbanSage]

I bought the 48" MH setup from Odyssea, last week a capacitor burned down. I hate to imagine what could have happened if my wife had not been home. Aquatraders are now shipping me a replacement capacitor so I can have a second shot at burning down my house.
I have to say although I really dislike their business that I think they might have fixed the design. But, I will not be buying another to test this. I am also sure the vast majority of people owning one of these setups are having no issues what so ever.

More info on [link removed]

[UrbanSage]

If you have the money/time/skills then you can do something like this (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ICSPK23)

I bet the bulb alone will give you a better feel of quality.....

[Scuba_Dave]

You can usually get a good deal on a used setup
I bought (2) 175w MH setups w/reflector & ballasts - used bulbs for about $60 total