Check out this 250 watt Retro kit?

[lawdog]

Does this appear to be a good deal for the money?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Secondly, If I get a negative on these I am looking at a lfs that has a sale on Hamilton retro fit kits. A 250w dual halide kit w/ ballast two mogul sockets, quick connect and all wiring w/ two 14 K Hamilton bulbs is on sale for $339.00 about 100 bucks more than this ebay kit with 13K who knows what type bulbs for $240. Which is the best kit for the money? I am leaning towards the Hamilton just because of the Rep. but Advanced ballast which is the ebay version I thought had a good rep also.

Thanks for any help

-Craig

[lawdog]

Anyone??? Just looking for some help picking out a good system for lights. Any input would be great regarding these two light retro kits.

Thanks,

Craig

[Reefland]

Craig,

Continue to do some shopping around. There are some very nice retro kits available online from companies you can get good service from if needed. The Hamilton kit wouldn't be bad but their bulbs aren't the greatest per the studies that have been performed.

[lawdog]

Thanks Reefland... Any input at all is greatly appreciated. There is just so many choices for MH lighting that I am starting to get overwhelmed with the choices and just want to get a good system that will work for my new 120 gallon tank. I just ordered an MR-1 and collection cup from Andy today at MyReef... He sure knows his stuff and I am glad I found his services thru this site. Now I am just hoping to find the same re: MH lights

I have had saltwater in the past but now that lawschool and the bar exam and everything is over and I have been dying to get back into the hobby. This time I want to do it once and do it right.

I will keep shopping around Reefland, I have looked at reeftanklighting.com, hellolights, innovative lighting, ebay, lfs's and more.... if anyone has a secret place to find great MH lighting systems please let me know...

Regards,

Craig

[ricksreef]

scott, can you point me to that study? i have a hamilton 14K
& so far, i'm lovin' it...

lawdog, i don't know about that seller, i checked 50 pages of feedback
& they have quite a few negatives & nuetrals...& i saw a few comments
that make me think they also threaten a negative if you don't give them
a positive... ;;

[golfish]

That's not a bad price but I'm worried about the heat sink. It almost like its made of plastic. I've never delt with anybody on ebay so no comment at all there.

The ballast's are very good, the heat sink worried me. Anyway you can find out some info on the bulbs and what the heat sink is made of?

[lawdog]

Here is the response I got back regarding the Ballast/heatsink and bulbs from the seller. Responded quickly I might add.


"The ballast is placed in an aluminum housing. THe ballast has a 5 year warranty.

The bulbs are great German Style Oe bulbs - they come in 3 different colors
10k, 13k or 20k - you may specify which type you would like during your payment

let us know if you are interested and if we can help further
www.petsupplyliquidator.com "

Does that sound legit??/

Craig

[lawdog]

The search wages on for lighting... I am killing myself here looking for the elusive great deal on MH lights that I am starting to think doesn't exist... I hope to make up my mind soon as my new tank is almost done being built and I want to have most things lined up and ready to go.... Any more guidance is appreciated. Anyone use oceanencounter before or the EVC electronic MH 250W retro kits??? They are about $160 apiece...

My biggest problem is figuring out the best deal when you look at all the packages and some are full retro kits some have reflectors some don't some come with the bulbs some don't... shipping etc... it is very frustrating...

Thanks for all your help so far...

-Craig

[Sueet]

My biggest problem is figuring out the best deal when you look at all the packages and some are full retro kits some have reflectors some don't some come with the bulbs some don't... shipping etc... it is very frustrating...

Hi... Not going to be very helpful here, but .... The biggest part of figuring out the best deal is figuring out exactly what YOU need. Every person's tank setup and space for lighting is different, so some deals are better deals than others for certain people, etc. etc... Am I making sense? Some people don't use reflectors, but instead paint the inside of their canopy with a super-bright reflective white paint... Some people get aluminum sheeting and make their own reflectors.... The bulbs ... Some people like certain brand bulbs, so it's better to buy them separately... Some people don't care about brand, as long as color is right, blah blah... Anyway, If I were you, I would make a list of features that you want/need and then search for a deal that fits your needs.

[golfish]

That's sounds like a good deal. Now my only question is the bulbs. Do you plan to run just MH's or are you planning on supplimenting them? I have a buddy who runs 10k Ushios over his tank, its full of sps so the color doesn't really look yellow. I like it.....