72" Aquatinics Constellation = Good Light?

[WillM]

Hello,

I have a chance to get one of these lights for a reasonable price ($150) and wondered if anyone had any experience with them?

Thanks,
w

 

[rtparty]

They are a pretty good light but Aquactinics is out of business (at least the aquarium side of things is) so if you ever need to find any parts, it can be tough.

 

[James77]

Also extremeley expensive bulb replacement considering they are 14 bulbs. I would do a 6 or 8 bulb ATI that has 80 watters in it.

 

[WillM]

Both good points. Sounds like I'll pass on this "deal". It could work now and 2 weeks later the impossible to find ballast blows up and there went $150.

 

[nanojg]

If replacing parts is a concern, then it shouldnt be. Ballasts are easy to replace. However, like James77 said the amount of bulbs on that thing would be very expensive to replace!

 

[Deleted member 24321]

also those fixtures were 1k new and I've rarely seen them used for less than $500. That's a steal. It's going to cost you $500-1,000 for an ati fixture so there's a yr or two of bulbs

 

[rtparty]

Both good points. Sounds like I'll pass on this "deal". It could work now and 2 weeks later the impossible to find ballast blows up and there went $150.

The ballasts are super easy to find. They use Workhorse ballasts. The bulb replacement is the biggest issue.