Halide Lighting - Is this deal too good to be true

freestone · 04/25/2007, 07:38 AM

I came across these last night. Does anyone know if these units are any good. Is this unit chincy or what? It seems like the price is too good be true. I know most of the time you get what you pay for but I don't know much about MH lights. I need new lights but can't spend a ton of cash. Suggestions please.

combo light unit

salty3 · 04/25/2007, 07:47 AM

Aquatraders has a bad rep in the past but it seems there getting better. From what I have read you will want to get new bulbs for it right away then it will be a good fixture. There is a thread on here I think its called odysse the new electronic version, look for it and you will get some good info.

04/25/2007, 07:51 AM

Do a search on Aquatraders. Most feel that these are a fire hazard and some have had them catch fire. They aren't well built, the bulbs are poor at best, and the ballast and wiring are a nightmare, the cords are so thin they heat up, burn through and sometimes catch on fire.

ITGUY · 04/25/2007, 07:54 AM

Here is a thread about them. But there is very little about quality available on the web?
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=267801
Moderators I understand if you dump this post.

mg426 · 04/25/2007, 07:57 AM

Got to agree, I have not heard anything good about them.

freestone · 04/25/2007, 08:22 AM

thanks for the comments guys. for the price of this unit would it be worth it to just re-wire the ballasts and cords. that would still be much cheaper than many other options. I checked out the link above...someone claims they are the same as coralife. I've heard good things about them. can anyone verify that this is true.

J. Montgomery · 04/25/2007, 08:25 AM

I had the Odyssea 4x65W PC lighting fixture (bought Sept. 2006). I liked it, and have nothing bad to say about it. I eventually sold it and upgraded to MH.

Aquatraders has a horrible reputation here on RC. I'd be interested in seeing how many negative posts are from people that have bought and used their equipment, and how many negative posts are from people repeating comments that they've read.

ghostrida3 · 04/25/2007, 09:32 AM

based on the threads the only thing i can see wrong w/ this purchase is the bulbs may need replacing, the customer service isnt great and the warranty is only 30dys. the unit lights the bulbs succesfully is at a great price and doesnt burn ur house down, i think its a great deal.

D-Rod · 04/25/2007, 09:37 AM

From what i've been reading there are alot of people here on RC that like the fixture, There are almost 80 pages about it.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

kfowler · 04/25/2007, 10:21 AM

The bulb is fine. It's the MH ballast you need to replace. I believe you can ask for a credit and they will deduct it from the cost. Read the long Odyssea thread and form your own opinion. You'll see the positive and negatives from people who have actually owned the fixture.

04/25/2007, 07:38 AM	#1
freestone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown, New York Posts: 211	Halide Lighting - Is this deal too good to be true I came across these last night. Does anyone know if these units are any good. Is this unit chincy or what? It seems like the price is too good be true. I know most of the time you get what you pay for but I don't know much about MH lights. I need new lights but can't spend a ton of cash. Suggestions please. combo light unit

04/25/2007, 07:54 AM	#4
ITGUY Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 46	Here is a thread about them. But there is very little about quality available on the web? http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=267801 Moderators I understand if you dump this post. __________________ The only dumb question is the one not asked. Current Tank Info: 120 Gal FISH & SOFTIES - WLR

04/25/2007, 07:57 AM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Got to agree, I have not heard anything good about them. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

04/25/2007, 08:25 AM	#7
J. Montgomery Mouth Pipetting Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 6,278	I had the Odyssea 4x65W PC lighting fixture (bought Sept. 2006). I liked it, and have nothing bad to say about it. I eventually sold it and upgraded to MH. Aquatraders has a horrible reputation here on RC. I'd be interested in seeing how many negative posts are from people that have bought and used their equipment, and how many negative posts are from people repeating comments that they've read. __________________ Josh

04/25/2007, 09:37 AM	#9
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	From what i've been reading there are alot of people here on RC that like the fixture, There are almost 80 pages about it. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

04/25/2007, 07:47 AM	#2
salty3 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Right here Posts: 894	Aquatraders has a bad rep in the past but it seems there getting better. From what I have read you will want to get new bulbs for it right away then it will be a good fixture. There is a thread on here I think its called odysse the new electronic version, look for it and you will get some good info.

04/25/2007, 07:51 AM	#3
Azial Unregistered Posts: n/a	Do a search on Aquatraders. Most feel that these are a fire hazard and some have had them catch fire. They aren't well built, the bulbs are poor at best, and the ballast and wiring are a nightmare, the cords are so thin they heat up, burn through and sometimes catch on fire.

04/25/2007, 08:22 AM	#6
freestone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown, New York Posts: 211	thanks for the comments guys. for the price of this unit would it be worth it to just re-wire the ballasts and cords. that would still be much cheaper than many other options. I checked out the link above...someone claims they are the same as coralife. I've heard good things about them. can anyone verify that this is true.

04/25/2007, 09:32 AM	#8
ghostrida3 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 477	based on the threads the only thing i can see wrong w/ this purchase is the bulbs may need replacing, the customer service isnt great and the warranty is only 30dys. the unit lights the bulbs succesfully is at a great price and doesnt burn ur house down, i think its a great deal.

04/25/2007, 10:21 AM	#10
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	The bulb is fine. It's the MH ballast you need to replace. I believe you can ask for a credit and they will deduct it from the cost. Read the long Odyssea thread and form your own opinion. You'll see the positive and negatives from people who have actually owned the fixture. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef