Anyone using these lights?
- Thread starter Itsmebro
- Start date
Ebisan
New member
Warboc said:
Thanks for the info. Looked through your other post regarding the M102 ballast. Good info and am getting skeptical if this ballast will hold up to a HQI bulb since it's not spec'd to fire this type of bulb. I didn't get a good look at the ballast number in my ballast but will go downstairs right now to take a look to ease my mind.
Bastianelli
New member
I don't beleive there is any 175w DE bulbs, so wouldn't they have to be 150w?
Warboc
New member
Ebisan said:
Yep... I had posted some more information in this thread too, about a call I made to Aquatraders about the ballast. Basically the guy (Alfred I believe) explained to me that each unit is quality tested there (and by the manufacturer) with HQI bulbs. He was very helpful and courteous over the phone.
Also customaquatic.com will refund the new bulbs if they do not work properly with my ballasts. -- I called them and asked before ordering. Even explained what I am ordering them for. They said at worst I'd have to pay return shipping and a 5% restocking fee. So with shipping both ways and the restocking fee I'd be out about 20-25 bucks total. To me it is worth it to try.
apologeticus
New member
IUnknown said:
Pretty simple: to make up for the money they didn't make on shipping.
chrisstie
Premium Member
Another satisfied customer
Another satisfied customer
Our aquatraders.com shipment came today woohooo!
We ordered a jebo skimmer and the 48" MH\T5 combo for our soon to be 55 set up (need to finish cleaning up our used tank) I don't have pics of the packing but everything was done really well- the lights themselves were actually double-boxed, and everything was packed nicely with paper inside the other box that came with the ballast and skimmer.
I just want to note here that we read several reviews of people saying this isn't the best on the market, its ok, it will work, and is actually really great for the price. We also knew some people were a little iffy on it, and one person was exteremely dissatisfied at her purchase.
Regardless, we'd rather spend half the money on a good product rather then blowing our bank on top of the line brand name stuff ..
So here's some pics:
Jebo Skimmer
Timer\Ballast:
We did hear a small noise like someone else mentioned saying it sounded like something was loose. We found the culprit:
This was a tiny nut inside sliding around the bottom of the ballast and vibrating and creating extra noise when turned on. Also, any other noise we found was due to a screw that wasn't completely screwed in tight. A screw driver and a few minutes later, she purrs like a quiet little kitten.
Here's the inside where we found the nut:
It isnt letting me post everything so pics of the stand and light coming up right below this.
Another satisfied customer
Our aquatraders.com shipment came today woohooo!
We ordered a jebo skimmer and the 48" MH\T5 combo for our soon to be 55 set up (need to finish cleaning up our used tank) I don't have pics of the packing but everything was done really well- the lights themselves were actually double-boxed, and everything was packed nicely with paper inside the other box that came with the ballast and skimmer.
I just want to note here that we read several reviews of people saying this isn't the best on the market, its ok, it will work, and is actually really great for the price. We also knew some people were a little iffy on it, and one person was exteremely dissatisfied at her purchase.
Regardless, we'd rather spend half the money on a good product rather then blowing our bank on top of the line brand name stuff ..
So here's some pics:
Jebo Skimmer
Timer\Ballast:
We did hear a small noise like someone else mentioned saying it sounded like something was loose. We found the culprit:
This was a tiny nut inside sliding around the bottom of the ballast and vibrating and creating extra noise when turned on. Also, any other noise we found was due to a screw that wasn't completely screwed in tight. A screw driver and a few minutes later, she purrs like a quiet little kitten.
Here's the inside where we found the nut:
It isnt letting me post everything so pics of the stand and light coming up right below this.
chrisstie
Premium Member
Cont'd..
Here's the custom stand my dad built for us that also houses my 7 year old goldfish.. Our old freshwater 29 is sitting on top so when I get the other cleaned up it'll take up most of the top:
Here's a pic of the lights without power:
A close up of one side so you can see the guts:
Here's just the T5's on:
Just MH:
And finally here's some with both on (since we're not set up yet with the tank this is just laying on the floor at 11:30am EST or so without flash on.
When we get the tank completely cleaned so you can see through the glass and make sure that our stand will hold its weight etc etc, I will post pics of it with water and the light setup.
Here's the custom stand my dad built for us that also houses my 7 year old goldfish.. Our old freshwater 29 is sitting on top so when I get the other cleaned up it'll take up most of the top:
Here's a pic of the lights without power:
A close up of one side so you can see the guts:
Here's just the T5's on:
Just MH:
And finally here's some with both on (since we're not set up yet with the tank this is just laying on the floor at 11:30am EST or so without flash on.
When we get the tank completely cleaned so you can see through the glass and make sure that our stand will hold its weight etc etc, I will post pics of it with water and the light setup.
onecrzyboi4u
New member
just ordered the 24" companct lighitng.. i'm guessin i should recieve it in 2 weeks since i went with money order..(don't have a credit card) i will post when i get it and how it works out.. btw chrisstie lemme know how ur skimmer does.. i'm thinking about gettin one of those..
Warboc
New member
I have decided not to purchase new MH bulbs yet. Although they have already been shipped, I am refusing shipment/sending them right back for a refund.
The reason being that a major factor in ordering new bulbs was the fact that my two MH bulbs were putting out a different color of light. The left side was more of a blue tint while the right side was very white/yellowish. Well since I have started using them more daily (tank is completing cycle now) the colors are nearly identical now!
Notice the difference in the coloration of the sand and rocks before and after. Needless to say I am very happy now!
Before:
After:
If anyone else tries new MH bulbs, please let us know.
The reason being that a major factor in ordering new bulbs was the fact that my two MH bulbs were putting out a different color of light. The left side was more of a blue tint while the right side was very white/yellowish. Well since I have started using them more daily (tank is completing cycle now) the colors are nearly identical now!
Notice the difference in the coloration of the sand and rocks before and after. Needless to say I am very happy now!
Before:
After:
If anyone else tries new MH bulbs, please let us know.
onecrzyboi4u
New member
oooooo i love that effect.. what light combo did u get warboc?
Warboc
New member
onecrzyboi4u said:
That's the "ODYSSEA 48" 384W METAL HALIDE" unit. It is on my 90 for now. That tank is 25 inches tall and that lighting is very nice on it. Pictures really don't do it any justice.
I will put it on my 55 when I get into more higher-light dependent corals in the 90 though. Still new to this right now so it is fine for my 90 for beginner zoos, leathers, shrooms and such.
onecrzyboi4u
New member
i ordered the 24, compact 110 wats.. i hope it has that effect some.. i love that..
onecrzyboi4u
New member
yeah it is..
i think the lights look great, forget those negative replies, you got a great deal. as far as the ballasts go, the code not matching to other de bulbs, oh well. it seems the only de bulbs that match are a couple of iwasakis, which would leave you to believe maybe that is the brand of bulb you got with your fixture. i know they are unmarked, but, some one has to make them. good luck with them and keep us posted with anything new.
