$800 MAX for lighting...
- Thread starter cjsparky
- Start date
The ballast I had was a monster.. Granted.. It did start overheating and failing on one side.. But it was like 8 years old..
OK so based on DrNecro's response, I lobbed a call into Catalina, and got this quote.
Hood constructed from Aluminum, 3 x 250 HQI, 2 HQI ELECTRONIC Ballasts, one with one cord, one with 2. 4 x 80W T5's with built in Electronic Ballasts, 2 cords, and 2 switches. The fixture also comes with Dimable LED Moonlights, with their own power cord, and switch. Hanging eyehooks installed on the fixture, and legs for top of tank mounting. The fixture also includes fans that pull air in one side of the fixture, and eject air out the other side of the fixture.
The MH Ballasts have a 3 year warranty, and the T5 ballasts have a 5 year warranty. Bulb selection is their brand, but my choice of spectrum. $850 to my door. I really liked Jim the shop guy, and the fixture seems to have everything I am looking for.
What do yas think?
Hood constructed from Aluminum, 3 x 250 HQI, 2 HQI ELECTRONIC Ballasts, one with one cord, one with 2. 4 x 80W T5's with built in Electronic Ballasts, 2 cords, and 2 switches. The fixture also comes with Dimable LED Moonlights, with their own power cord, and switch. Hanging eyehooks installed on the fixture, and legs for top of tank mounting. The fixture also includes fans that pull air in one side of the fixture, and eject air out the other side of the fixture.
The MH Ballasts have a 3 year warranty, and the T5 ballasts have a 5 year warranty. Bulb selection is their brand, but my choice of spectrum. $850 to my door. I really liked Jim the shop guy, and the fixture seems to have everything I am looking for.
What do yas think?
I am kind of torn between the Outer Orbit and the Catalina...
The Outer Orbit is less expensive, by about $80 factoring gas, which helps for when I replace the bulbs, however, the Catalina has Electronic ballasts instead of magnetic, which is on the Catalina, and the Catalina comes with a warranty.
I hate making decisions...
CJ
The Outer Orbit is less expensive, by about $80 factoring gas, which helps for when I replace the bulbs, however, the Catalina has Electronic ballasts instead of magnetic, which is on the Catalina, and the Catalina comes with a warranty.
I hate making decisions...
CJ
Based on your choices: I'd go with Coralife over Catalina. Thing about Catalina is no one around here uses it or advertises that they do.
I think the Curretn USA halide fixtures are decent, but they have been discontinued
Come to think of it, I don't know many ARC members that use Coralife Halide fixtures either, but I guess there are some.
But personally, I'd go the route Mojo (Chris) suggested early in this thread: buy used and get the equipment you see more often in successful aquariums: Lumenmax, Coralvue, IceCap, Radium, Phoenix, Galaxy. I would not have thought you could get good equipment at your $800 price point, but Chris did it with used stuff.
Only thing I wouldn't do is buy and use a used bulb. I'd get new, but that is just a personal thing for me.
Dave
I think the Curretn USA halide fixtures are decent, but they have been discontinued
Come to think of it, I don't know many ARC members that use Coralife Halide fixtures either, but I guess there are some.
But personally, I'd go the route Mojo (Chris) suggested early in this thread: buy used and get the equipment you see more often in successful aquariums: Lumenmax, Coralvue, IceCap, Radium, Phoenix, Galaxy. I would not have thought you could get good equipment at your $800 price point, but Chris did it with used stuff.
Only thing I wouldn't do is buy and use a used bulb. I'd get new, but that is just a personal thing for me.
Dave
Yeah I think I need to stop being silly and just do it...lol
I am thinking I will go with the Outer Orbit, it being more mainstream gives me a better shot at selling it one day, and getting a more custom/pro grade set...
I do understand the need to go quality, so you aren't buying twice, and the evidence of that is hanging in my garage in the form of a mountain bike, road bike, etc. that I barely use anymore as I have lost interest. I am hoping that this will not happen with this hobby, but you never know what life is going to throw you, and right now I don't have the money or interest in building a canopy for my tank.
Thanks for all the advice guys, although it may seem as if I am going against some of it, it did not fall on deaf ears. Its just that if I do not get something with what funds I have now, as a student with limited income opportunities, I will NEVER be able to get what is really best.
CJ
Only when I buy stuff on Reef Central.. LOL
my bad.. I didnt know thats where you snagged it..
did you pay with a Credit Card or Bank?
You did research the seller first right?
did you pay with a Credit Card or Bank?
You did research the seller first right?
You will be alright.. I'm just messing with ya..
Paypal is terrible with bank acounts.. Credit cards enable you to charge back.. Hell if I were to mail you a cinder block and provide tracking number and delivery, paypal will side with me even though you were supposed to get a light fixture.. Isn't that nuts?
Paypal is terrible with bank acounts.. Credit cards enable you to charge back.. Hell if I were to mail you a cinder block and provide tracking number and delivery, paypal will side with me even though you were supposed to get a light fixture.. Isn't that nuts?
