is this one of those too good to be true deals?

J.R.L. · 01/29/2008, 02:56 PM

im not a complete newbie but i dont have a lot of experience with MH but i will be setting up a 75g and dont have much $$$ for MH...i saw this on ebay but it looks too cheap to be worth it...im sure its one of those "you get what you pay for" but i dont have much money...any opinions or experience?

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-250W-Aquarium...QQcmdZViewItem

luke33 · 01/29/2008, 02:59 PM

Its a mh but you'll need to replace the ballast as they aren't to hot, but for 200bux you can have a mh fixture so thats pretty good to me.

Drag Racer · 01/29/2008, 03:00 PM

wow If it is real thats a really good deal. I know that Oddysea company has been coming out with some cheap PC lights and I've heard mixed reviews on them, This may be there introduction into MH lighting. But for 110 plus shipping it may not be too bad to try. Just a thought

J.R.L. · 01/29/2008, 03:06 PM

i know im very tempted to buy 2 of them for my 75g...only problem with these lights from what ive read is that as far as timers go the LEDs and MHs are on the same plug or something so you cant run a timer but idc i dont mind walking over and flipping a switch

luke33 · 01/29/2008, 03:21 PM

They have had mh's for yrs and started with very bad ballst problems. www.aquatraders.com There's also huge threads around here about them.

nauticac4 · 01/29/2008, 03:27 PM

look in the used equipment forums here...There are usually a bunch of good deals

DarG · 01/29/2008, 04:16 PM

Check the Odyssea thread here on this forum and then join the cult ...

The ballasts need to be replaced, they pull about 150 - 160 watts so the 250 watt bulb is severly underdriven. So add 50 - 160 per fixture, depending on how comfortable you are putting together your own magnetic ballasts or how much you want to spend on an electronic. Or, you could just run them at the 150 watts or so which presents some potential issues of its own as far as the bulbs go.

Read the Odyssea thread.

J.R.L. · 01/29/2008, 04:21 PM

ok thanks for all the info guys im not going to get anything from them ive decided to try and find something used or get a 250w icecap retro kit from diyreef.com because i would rather spend more and have a better peace of mind knowin i wont burn anything down!

01/29/2008, 02:56 PM	#1
J.R.L. Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 529	is this one of those too good to be true deals? im not a complete newbie but i dont have a lot of experience with MH but i will be setting up a 75g and dont have much $$$ for MH...i saw this on ebay but it looks too cheap to be worth it...im sure its one of those "you get what you pay for" but i dont have much money...any opinions or experience? http://cgi.ebay.com/24-250W-Aquarium...QQcmdZViewItem

01/29/2008, 03:00 PM	#3
Drag Racer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Bend, Wi Posts: 1,280	wow If it is real thats a really good deal. I know that Oddysea company has been coming out with some cheap PC lights and I've heard mixed reviews on them, This may be there introduction into MH lighting. But for 110 plus shipping it may not be too bad to try. Just a thought __________________ Why did I start this addictive hobby???????? Its not like I didn't have anything better to do. Link to my DIY HOB Fuge for 4 gallon tank http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971283 Current Tank Info: 75gal fresh 4 Gallon Pico

01/29/2008, 03:27 PM	#6
nauticac4 Baby Fish Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,237	look in the used equipment forums here...There are usually a bunch of good deals __________________ Put Wings on it and Let it Fly!!! PBITAWA !!! Current Tank Info: 180 Cube 3x3x3. 29Gallon Sump 20 Gallon Fuge (1) Lumenarc Reflector w. 250W ARO Ballast and - Modded GS1 Skimmer - Eheim 1262 Return - Vortech MP40W and Swirler Stein

01/29/2008, 02:59 PM	#2
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Its a mh but you'll need to replace the ballast as they aren't to hot, but for 200bux you can have a mh fixture so thats pretty good to me.

01/29/2008, 03:06 PM	#4
J.R.L. Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 529	i know im very tempted to buy 2 of them for my 75g...only problem with these lights from what ive read is that as far as timers go the LEDs and MHs are on the same plug or something so you cant run a timer but idc i dont mind walking over and flipping a switch

01/29/2008, 03:21 PM	#5
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	They have had mh's for yrs and started with very bad ballst problems. www.aquatraders.com There's also huge threads around here about them.

01/29/2008, 04:16 PM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Check the Odyssea thread here on this forum and then join the cult ... The ballasts need to be replaced, they pull about 150 - 160 watts so the 250 watt bulb is severly underdriven. So add 50 - 160 per fixture, depending on how comfortable you are putting together your own magnetic ballasts or how much you want to spend on an electronic. Or, you could just run them at the 150 watts or so which presents some potential issues of its own as far as the bulbs go. Read the Odyssea thread.

01/29/2008, 04:21 PM	#8
J.R.L. Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 529	ok thanks for all the info guys im not going to get anything from them ive decided to try and find something used or get a 250w icecap retro kit from diyreef.com because i would rather spend more and have a better peace of mind knowin i wont burn anything down!