noodles9987
New member
I thought I would post some information about the lighting system I purchased, because it may help someone in the forum to make up their minds about buying one of these.
I purchased the 48" 542 watt system from Aqua traders about 1 month ago. I read a great deal of information on this site about aquatraders customer service (actually they don't have any at all) and about various people reporting fires because of bad ballasts, or people who have made some modifications to their lighting systems and those have caused fires.
I was pretty concerned about a fire and actually, I have done a great deal of electrical wiring and I feel that I know a bit about it. So I bought the unit with the intent of re-wiring it and changing out the ballasts right away - before using the system.
I should say that I opened up the ballast box on day 1, and it looks pretty good. All screws were tight and I was able to locate the manufacturers web site on line without much problem. As you may guess, they are in China. However, the 2007 model ballast that I received was about as good as any other I've seen. Not a 10, but not a 1 either.
Even though the ballast box looked to be in good order, I prommissed my wife I wouldn't use the light without getting replacemetn ballasts, so basically I ordered up an ARO 192 watt dual pc ballast from hello lights, and I then went to custom aquatics where I ordered a new 150 watt electronic ballast (it arrived today by the way). I also added an extra fan in the fixture, so I ended up with 3, instead of the 2 that came with the unit. I should also point out that I retro fit the pc ballast inside the canopy without any problem at all. The top of the unit has a very large metal grate on it and the ballast is mounted in an area under the metal grate.
At the end of the day, here is what I spent:
2 fans from frye electronics 9.99
48" 542 watt unit: 360.00
192 watt ballst: 40.00
150 watt dual electronic ballast 135.00
2 x 10K replacement 36" pc lights 45.00
I really didn't like the quality of the bulbs that they sent me from aqua traders and because I couldn't get in touch with anyone at the store (i sent many e-mails and i tried calling. the phone is probably hooked up to their computer - you can never get through), I decided to get the new pc lights from custom aquatics. I am glad I gave them my business. They were great to do business with. Same for the guys at hellolights.
Lastly, I feel that I got a great deal here. I would buy this set up again, without question. I opened up the light completely, and I must say the unit is pretty nice. I am happy with this purchase.
I don't know if this helps anyone. However, I thought I should let you all know that this was an easy DIY project that produced very good results.
Sorry this post was so long. I have just read so much bad info about this subject, that I thought I should post my personal experience.
I purchased the 48" 542 watt system from Aqua traders about 1 month ago. I read a great deal of information on this site about aquatraders customer service (actually they don't have any at all) and about various people reporting fires because of bad ballasts, or people who have made some modifications to their lighting systems and those have caused fires.
I was pretty concerned about a fire and actually, I have done a great deal of electrical wiring and I feel that I know a bit about it. So I bought the unit with the intent of re-wiring it and changing out the ballasts right away - before using the system.
I should say that I opened up the ballast box on day 1, and it looks pretty good. All screws were tight and I was able to locate the manufacturers web site on line without much problem. As you may guess, they are in China. However, the 2007 model ballast that I received was about as good as any other I've seen. Not a 10, but not a 1 either.
Even though the ballast box looked to be in good order, I prommissed my wife I wouldn't use the light without getting replacemetn ballasts, so basically I ordered up an ARO 192 watt dual pc ballast from hello lights, and I then went to custom aquatics where I ordered a new 150 watt electronic ballast (it arrived today by the way). I also added an extra fan in the fixture, so I ended up with 3, instead of the 2 that came with the unit. I should also point out that I retro fit the pc ballast inside the canopy without any problem at all. The top of the unit has a very large metal grate on it and the ballast is mounted in an area under the metal grate.
At the end of the day, here is what I spent:
2 fans from frye electronics 9.99
48" 542 watt unit: 360.00
192 watt ballst: 40.00
150 watt dual electronic ballast 135.00
2 x 10K replacement 36" pc lights 45.00
I really didn't like the quality of the bulbs that they sent me from aqua traders and because I couldn't get in touch with anyone at the store (i sent many e-mails and i tried calling. the phone is probably hooked up to their computer - you can never get through), I decided to get the new pc lights from custom aquatics. I am glad I gave them my business. They were great to do business with. Same for the guys at hellolights.
Lastly, I feel that I got a great deal here. I would buy this set up again, without question. I opened up the light completely, and I must say the unit is pretty nice. I am happy with this purchase.
I don't know if this helps anyone. However, I thought I should let you all know that this was an easy DIY project that produced very good results.
Sorry this post was so long. I have just read so much bad info about this subject, that I thought I should post my personal experience.
