Thoughts on Ebay Fixture?...

[gobytron]

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Metal-Halide-...item29fd77ad40

It looks pretty.
I think it's obvious it's no giesemann but the construction looks solid and all the materials seem pretty quality.

Anyone have or have seen one of these in action?

I haven't asked about ballasts, it looks like they may be internal though...


Thoughts?

[dsaundry]

Pretty sure the ballast's are external, I bought a similar fixture a few years back off ebay and have had no real problems other than a ballast that got a little to much water on it. Check around though as a lot of different prices for the same unit may be available.

[gobytron]

Hmm...
I'll drop them a line and see if the ballasts are in fact external.

Was the fixture you purchased the same or just similar?

Thanks for the input...

[BlueWorldAquatic]

I have seen that style before. A LFS here carries a similar Chinese made product.

Few things to consider, especially for lights. Are the UL or CSA rated? Especially if there are a few seperate sources of heat, if a fire is started will you be covered by you insurance?

What about warranty?

I have always personally been an avocate of "You get what you pay for"

Just my personal opinion.

Ken - BWA

[gobytron]

Spoken as I would expect any LFS to...lol

I appreciate the info, and those are all valid questions which I hope someone can help to enlighten me on through this thread.

These have been around for a while, so I'm hoping there is a canreefer with some real insight.


I remember when the Bubble Magus first came out and everyone thougt they were a pos based on their country of origin and price point...now they are getting to be pretty commonplace...

I think that you do get what you pay for, but I also know that most companies want you to pay as much as possible for what you get

No harm in trying to find a good deal I think.


And as a wide note, would any sane Insurance company cover a fire due to aquarium electronics?
regardless of certification of the fixture or equipment being used?

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Insurance companies are not stupid, think of it when a care is stolen due to owners stupidity (going into a store leaving it running unlocked), but they don`t refuse the claim.

Actually if the product is certified, and has gone through testing, and you use in the way it is intended without modification. They will cover it.

You will also notice if you call your insurance company about putting in a large fish tank. They will tell you as long as it is NEW they will cover damages of flooding.

This way they can go after the manufacture if there are any issues. I have actually dealt with insurance claims for some of my customers.

I have been hobbies for over 30 years, and a LFS own for only 1. Those were personal opinions and experiences, not professional.

One of the things that I have noticed in this profession, you will find that most Euro products are far more superior than N.American. Let it be in design, manufacture, or research.

Depending on the product, a close second is the US and Japan, they don't just steal designs then copy them with cheaper materials and methods of manufacture. They actually will reverse engineer the product to find how to make it better.

I have seen too many Chinese products in the past, and have found that most WILL be an inferior product, with the odd exception.

Ken