Anyone using these lights?

[onetrickpony]

I ordered the 48 inch power compact light 220w
It was shipped the next day
I was sent an ups tracking number and I should receive it on Tuesday
I will see how the light and shipping works out
I did send them a email about there single metal halide 24ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚, when would it be in stock, no reply ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ about a week ago
So we will see
Thanks
Ken

 

[Ebisan]

I have the 24" MH fixture and wrote him an email awhile ago stating the differences from the website in which he replied that he will have the webmaster change the information. The ballast has a sticker that says 175W. However, a 175W DE bulb does not exist. So I'm not sure why they have that sticker on the ballast. The ballast is also magnetic not electronic.

My experience with Aquatraders has been very good. I sent them three emails and received a seperate reply for each. In one of them they included their phone number. I called this number and talked with a guy regarding their 24" Metal Halide light. I said that I tried to add it to my cart on their website, but couldn't because it was out of stock. The guy said that they actually have them in stock, but the new light specs are different than the ones listed on the website and they didn't want to make them available until the site was updated. The main differences are that the MH light is actually 175W instead of 150W. Therefore the total output is 211W not 186W (the light includes two 18 W actinic PCs). Also, there is not a digital timer. He said that too many people complained that it was too confusing to use. I thought it was still a good deal and placed the order right then, over the phone. This was on Feb. 2. He said that they would either get the order out that day (Friday) or the following Monday. I just received the light today via ups. So it took them 5 business days to get the light from CA to PA. Nothing was broken and everything worked when I wired it up. I think the light that it outputs looks awesome. I am not sure if the ballast is electronic or magnetic. The guy said that it was electronic on the phone, but I'm not sure if this is true since I didn't get a chance to take the seperate ballast enclosure apart yet. So I would say that overall I am very pleased with the service that I have received from aquatraders.

 

[reelfreak]

So where are all those people who keep talking about "will they stand behind you when your house burns down?"

My guess is Yes, " they'll stand right behind you and watch it burn, just like every other company out there!!!" :lol:

Seriously folks, those of you who posted about that subject, please respond.........

For those of you with troubles w/ the company I'm sorry about your experience, but from the number of people who have gotten the product, and do enjoy them, It's hard to bash them too bad.....I mean at these prices for MH de, can you imagine the amount of responses and questions they are recieving.....Simply sounds like they weren't ready for this much business, when they posted these ultra low prices......JMO and a guess.

And for anyone looking for replacement pc bulbs, Hellolights has a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE special on 55/65w square pin 8800k bulbs......Just got mine in the mail last night and they are great!!! $29 shipped to my door in 5 days.....JUST check your pin configuration on your hood before ordering, just throwing another good deal out to the rest of the "meisers' out there....

 

[ajm291]

Thanks Ebisan for clearing this up.

 

[chrisstie]

Reelfreak- thanks for the info on the replacement bulbs, i'm sure in time our setup will get them.

Today we just filled our tank and added salt \ hooked up skimmer\pump\thermometor\lights etc the whole ensemble so it can do its thing for a while before we order from TBS for our rock supply.

I am going downstairs to take pics of it and will post them later tonight..

But I just can't resist adding a comment... Ok, i'm 99.9% sure its by law you need to have homeowners insurance. Renters insurance is optional- not sure why you'd have anything but a microreef in an apt anyway..
But it's really your responsibility to make sure your house doesn't burn down. Safely securing your plugs, wires, what not.. Unless whatever product you buy is apt to just randomly up and explode on you and burn your house down...
Hell, you know how hard it is to get homeowners insurance to cover a lightning strike that blows every electrical device in your house into a million pieces? VEY HARD. Not to mention here in Florida the hurricanes...

Those are natural disasters you can't help, but if something goes wrong and you create a fire hazard (which none of this stuff will do elsewhere, trust me, i've inspected everything very well and am taking all the necessary precautions you need when you have electricity and water), you're the moron at fault, not the people who shipped you whatever was in your house at the time.

However, do freak accidents occur? sometimes. Having homeowners insurance is good for this. It isn't any companies responsibility to back you up except your insurance company- Unless an investigation (Ford company comes to mind about this) proves that something you used is an extremely bad hazard and shoudn't be sold on the market.

That said, come on, get off your "what happens when your house blows up" soap box. I think with a little bit of saving money, common sense, and perserverance while aquatraders.com updates its site, people who are interested in this product will be just fine.

For those of you with problems not having your product on your doorstep right away, just know that they are obviously updating and upgrading the way they do things, so sit tight and don't freak out. Well, you could freak out and spend $600 on lighting elsewhere, or wait a few extra days (hopefully you don't have animals in your tank already awaiting the light, that again is an ignorant decision on your part)

Anyway, pics to come later today i promise now.

 

[Coral_Geek]

Labtec Wireless Keyboard - Made in China
Logitech Trackman Marble - Made in China
Samsung Cell Phone - Made in China
GE cordless phone - Made in China

Just a handful of stuff within arm's reach right now. All very useful and very functional chinese junk.

You seem to know "more" about this particular company and it's ownership though. Enlighten everyone.

This "company" is located very near San Francisco where I live. It is a place where livestock are crammed into tanks beyond any level I have ever seen at other wholesalers. The tanks are heated by a forced air duct that runs from a heater under the tanks. The first dozen or so tanks are too hot to sustain life so they are barren. The last tanks are too cold and are iched out. The electrical stuff has always been imports of lowest quality. Every time the real owner has a problem he changes the company name and the name of the owner of record and continues his practices. Most recently he was caught importing calms from the Philippines and lost his license to import livestock to the U.S. He changed the owner of record to the name of one of his workers and continues to do whatever he pleases without regard to animal welfare or US laws. Do you really think such a person carries any kind of liability insurance? He would change the business name again, find another patsy to be listed as owner of record, or just return to China and skip out on the whole thing. He is notorious out here. Look for Aqua 123, Aquarium Seasons, 99 Fish, and now Aquatrader. They are all the same guy, but have different owner's names.
The companies you have named are all companies with American subsidiaries with histories of stable and ethical business practices. Coralife or any other American Company has liability coverage. A guy from China who changes his business name and owner of record every time he gets into trouble is not the same thing as General Electric or Logitech or Coralife or Samsung. You can do business with anyone you choose to. I just think people outside of Northern California should be aware of who this guy is. The general rule is you get what you pay for and if it is so much cheaper than anything else there must be a good reason. Of course between two equal products, like 2 same model Euro-reef skimmers, I would select the lower cost vendor. However, you are not comparing two equivalent products here.

 

[Black71gp]

just read through, has anyone bought the heater that was talked about... sounds great just wonering if anyone has used it.

 

[Warboc]

Look for Aqua 123, Aquarium Seasons, 99 Fish, and now Aquatrader. They are all the same guy, but have different owner's names.

Are you sure they are the same as the previous name-changing company you mentioned?

Aquarium Seasons (USA) Inc.
1333 Marsten Rd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650)344-2768

Aqua 123 Inc
1326 Marsten Rd
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650)685-8091

AquaTraders Inc
637 San Mateo Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 872-1993

 

[onecrzyboi4u]

umm warboc.. aquatraders address that number is the right number.. cos i was e-mailed another number.

 

[Warboc]

umm warboc.. aquatraders address that number is the right number.. cos i was e-mailed another number.

The Aquatraders address is from Ebisan earlier in the thread. I know the phone number is right, not sure what you are saying????

 

[Ebisan]

I got their business card when I was there. It says:
395 East San Bruno
San Bruno, CA 94066
650-872-1993

The other address I posted I got from Yahoo/Yellowpages.

I guess as more and more people get these lights, let's hear the disaster/reliability/fire/etc stories from them if/when that time comes. I've read posts where name brand manufacturers have failure problems. If my Odyssea lights fail *knock on wood*, I'll be sure everyone here knows.

I think as long as you have good ventilation for the ballast and fixture, don't abuse it by constantly turning it off and on without cooling it down first, etc, the fixture should last as other brands.

 

[mrpet]

i know this place as well have been there. everything geek said is
on the money. but heck u get what u pay for. dont think ur getting
wine on beer money....just my 2 cents

 

[Coral_Geek]

Are you sure they are the same as the previous name-changing company you mentioned?

Aquarium Seasons (USA) Inc.
1333 Marsten Rd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650)344-2768

Aqua 123 Inc
1326 Marsten Rd
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650)685-8091

AquaTraders Inc
637 San Mateo Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 872-1993

Yes, this is the same company. He just moved a block down the street this time because the city found out he was using several parking spaces to store water tanks and he was going to have to pay a fine of $800 if he didn't remove them. He moved to a space that is a 3 minute walk from his old place to get the additional room for his water storage tanks.

 

[onecrzyboi4u]

AQUATRADERS
395 east San Bruno Avenue
San Bruno, Ca 94066
1 800 970 2782

this was what i was given when i made my my order online on there website.. weird maybe another number for eaach dept?? meaning lights, pumps, and stuff have there own numbers or something? i mean it's just werid to me.. haven't u guys noticed there e-mail is hotmail?

 

[Coral_Geek]

Its all a small operation under one roof. I believe the last address in San Bruno (395 east San Bruno Avenue) is the place he moved to most recently, but you can see the old place from there.

 

[Warboc]

1 800 970 2782

this was what i was given when i made my my order online on there website.. weird maybe another number for eaach dept?? meaning lights, pumps, and stuff have there own numbers or something? i mean it's just werid to me..

How can it not be obvious that you simply have the toll free number and not the local number?

 

[Warboc]

So it would appear to me as though this "small" company has been overwhelmed by the influx of business they have had as fo late.

Coral_Geek, thanks for all fo the info you have provided. I am sure that like me, everyone else appreciates it.

All I can do is take it for what its worth. I've already purchased the lighting from them and I am happy with what I got.

 

[sirhelm]

Hi,

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I went to their San Bruno store and purchased the following

48 " 4 X 55 Watt PC Jebo Light hood
Jebo 520 Skimmer
Jebo 13 Watt UV steralizer


As was mentioned in a previous post, the store items cost more than the website. I was able to get them to match the prices on the site + the cost of shipping.

Note: The store prices were about 50.00 more than the prices on the site. Factor in the shipping and I saved approx 20.00 by getting them to match.

BTW prices I paid

Lights 69.99
Skimmer 49.99
Steralizer 39.99

Plus the "shipping cost".

Still a good deal.

However here is the "catch". By walking in and getting it from the store, they unpack everything and test it. They also make you examine everything for cracks, damage etc..

Why.... Because there is NO WARRANTY. Unlike ordering on the site (you get 20 days..) there is none with the walk in.

In my opinion I would take the 6 day wait, and have at least a 20 day warrranty... cuz you never now.

Oh I almost forgot. I don't remember seeing this.. but they also sell fish!!!! In the back they have tons of freshwater and some salties as well.

Quick prices I saw (note none of them are listed.. you have to ask, and catch your own fish... very wholesaler like.. lol)

Square Patch Antihias Large size 18.00

Coral Beauty Large Size 15.00

They had all kinds of Tangs, Butterflies, Anthias, and Wrasses.

They also sell Bamboo Sharks for 20.00

Overall the fish look in good health. They are all in glass tanks with no substrate, and they were ick /disease free from what I saw.

I only saw one deady pseuydochromis....

However because it is catch your own, and the workers were very busy.... you need to have knowledge of what you are buying.

Also they sell glass, acrylic, and large plastic (pond) wet drys, plus overflow boxes etc..

They had a brand new 100 gallon rated wet dry with overflow, etc.. for 99.00.

That is it for now. I will keep you updated on my experiences with their equip.


SH

 

[sirhelm]

One more thing. I just read Coral_Geeks post on stocking of tanks...

Like I said before this is definitley not a retail fish setup. I saw about 25 mandarain gobies in one tank, about 15 foxfaces in one tank etc...

I didn't look at the freshwater (no interest), however I have visited almost all of the LFS in the bay area.... and while the tanks were overstocked they were clean, and I did not see more than one dead fish (can't say the same for certain LFS and Petcos out there).

I really got the impression that it was a wholesale setup.

I would honestly look at this place to by certain types of fish for a good price. Also cuz you get to catch your own fish, experienced folks can really spend the time to ensure the health of thier specimins.


Also... I truly laughed at the remarks some have made about "USA" manufacter or retail store covering any loss associated with the failure of their products. Can anyone post a story here when their top o line ebo jager heater implodes and electrocutes your livestock? And the company or retailer re-imbursing you for your loss??

People should be far more worried about ensuring their Made in China smoke detector works!!! Or has a working battery for that matter.

As it has been stated.... cheap Chinese knockoffs....... ROCK!!!!!!

If I can get it for half the price or even a quater of the price and it works (even if it only lasts half the time...) I would be happy.

My favorite quote in this thread is (sorry can't find the author to give credit)... "I would rather have a cheap skimmer that may suck, cuz it is better than what I have now..... Which is nothing!"

(Paraphrasing)

SH

 

[DemoDick]

Their skimmer is actually a knock off of the Bak Pac skimmer that retails for about $135.00. of which I have and love!!!