Good Deal? Coralife Aqualight Elite 72 Inch Fixture $600

[C4SxM5]

Coralife Aqualight Elite 72 Inch Fixture. This system has 3 Mogul 250W 14K Hamilton's (about 6mo old) and 2 96W actinic (1 year roughly) all in great shape.

Seller is asking $600 for the system and I wanted to see if that was GREAT deal or just a OK deal? I'm currently running VHO's and wanted to try something new so any input would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[kdblove_99]

Well if you go by what they cost new that is about 50% off

 

[C4SxM5]

thats what i figured, but kind of scare of used ballast and bulbs...

 

[kdblove_99]

Yeah Hamilton makes a good hood.

 

[bored4long]

Add in the cost of all new bulbs to give yourself a more realistic cost. Do you know if the ballasts are magnetic or electronic?

 

[C4SxM5]

not sure if they are magnetic or electronic, but here are the details I found while searching:

Three 250 watt 10,000K metal halide lamps
Two 96 watt True Actinic 03 Blue compact fluorescent lamps
Two Built-in cooling fan
Durable, anodized black-aluminum housing with ventilation grills
Highly-polished reflector
Tempered-glass lens cover
Removable suspension brackets
Mounting legs included
72" x 15.25" x 6"

Aqualight Elite light fixtures combine 10,000K (screw-in mogul base) Metal Halide Lamps with True Actinic 03 Blue Compact Fluorescent Lamps in fan-cooled unit. The 10,000K HQI Metal Halide lamps provide high-intensity, purified super-daylight that simulates the midday sun. True Actinic 03 Blue lamps provide a blue light in the 420nm range that simulates the blue hue of deeper water.

 

[kdblove_99]

IF you need 3 needs MH bulbs that will run you at least $150.

What is your budget?

I know Aqualife has a Hamilton hood on the used table not sure of the size though i could go and check for you tomorrow and see what wattage it is also.

I would get hamilton over Aqualight/coralife that is just my opinion though

 

[hagakure]

[iby C4SxM5 [/i]
thats what i figured, but kind of scare of used ballast and bulbs...

if it's a reputable brand, i wouldn't worry. however, coralife isn't really known for quality made products.

 

[MrMikeB]

I would not own a Coralife 'anything' after my experience with their product line. I cannot tell you if its a good deal or not, beause there are certain aspects like age, wear, etc. that also play a big part in your decision. However - I recenltly bought a 3x250w MH + 4x VHOs Hamilton retro (Hamilton ballasts and lamps) that I paid a little more than half of what you have there. Sure, its not enclosed (retro) and is not the best looking, but for the price and it works, it is fine by me.

 

[P.Kelly]

I believe that the coralife units of that vintage (SE) are mag ballasts. Heck the new ones they put out are HQI mag, not E ballasts.

I'd be inclined to offer $450 and think I got a fair deal.

 

[Doahh]

The hamilton 4' at aqualife I have dibs on... I'm just waiting for him to find the ballast... the one under the table is 5 or 6'

 

[D&KSac]

Do you have a canopy on your tank? If so id go with a retro you can get more for your money. Just my 2 cents.