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#1
03-28-2010, 04:30 AM
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Lighting from ebay?
i am thinkin of starting off a reef tank and it's my first time. lighting can get pretty expensive and i'm thinkin about going with t-5's. i've looked on ebay and they are pretty inexpensive. my question is, how is the quality? has anyone ever bought them off ebay?
here's a link to what i was looking at http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Aquarium-Ligh...item414e2b154f anyone know where i can get a set from any reputable dealers with cheap prices or even a set that are second hand? 
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#2
03-28-2010, 04:43 AM
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im also thinkin of this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metal-Halide-Ret...item45ed34c64a i know its just the ballast and all but what type of canopy would i need to screw this fixture in?
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#3
03-28-2010, 04:47 AM
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I would be careful with cheap t5 fixtures. Reflectors are really important for t5 lighting and most of the cheap fixtures have only 1 big reflector for all the bulbs. You could look into Sunlight Supply New Wave light fixtures they are cheaper than the Tek fixtures and are pretty good or do a retrofit if your tank will have a canopy. With retro you can make a very good lighting system for cheaper than most fixtures. For example, I hear you can buy ATI t5 reflectors (supposed to be the best reflectors out there) from reefgeek (only by phone) and put together a great retro that is almost as good as the super high end ATI fixtures.
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#4
03-28-2010, 05:04 AM
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I wouldn't recommend buying anything on eBay... Yeah, it's cheaper but the risk of buying broken junk and having the hassle of returning it with eBay's stupid and useless protection policy isn't worth it.
Save up and buy it at the LFS, that way if there's anything wrong with it you can immediately return it.
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#5
03-28-2010, 05:15 AM
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I bought 4 - 4 bulb 48" Odyssea fixture's from E-Bay for my 8' tank, they are exactly the same fixture's that Kevin has on some of his tank's at Red Coral in Calgary. The bulb's are not the best but the fixture's are perfect, 3 power cord's & switches per fixture, acrylic cover's, built-in cooling fan's and mounting leg's for such an awesome price.
The only thing I would get more info on is the 5 year warranty.
__________________
Feed the bear goodies, make a new friend, don't feed the bear............... 8' - 165gal Reef DIY LED's Build 2012 Nano Contest Winner Febuary 2013 POTM Winner 300 gal + 60 gal Complete DIY Build Last edited by The Grizz; 03-28-2010 at 05:18 AM.
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#6
03-28-2010, 05:23 AM
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Quote:
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#7
03-28-2010, 05:28 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Feed the bear goodies, make a new friend, don't feed the bear............... 8' - 165gal Reef DIY LED's Build 2012 Nano Contest Winner Febuary 2013 POTM Winner 300 gal + 60 gal Complete DIY Build
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#8
03-28-2010, 05:32 AM
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Quote:
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 Setup: 180G DT, 105G Refuge (approx. 300lbs LR, 150lbs Aragonite) Hardware: Super Reef Octopus SSS-3000, Tunze ATO, Mag 18 return, 2x MP40W, 2X Koralia 4's Wavemaker Lighting: 5ft Hamilton Belize Sun (2x250W MH, 2X80W T5HO) Type of Aquarium: mixed reef (SPS & LPS) with fish Dosing: Mg, Ca, Alk
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#9
03-28-2010, 05:39 AM
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i have the same one grizz has and like it was slowly changing the bulbs but it works well my sps seem to like it as well as everything else growing like weeds
__________________
Desperately seeking serenity ... 180g custom build http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=81400 50g custom daycare tank... http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65428
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#10
03-28-2010, 06:31 AM
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If you are going to buy off ebay buy something with guts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Metal-Halide-...item2a05be8fc6 Thats a prety sweet light. here is a nother one that is better than what you posted. http://cgi.ebay.com/48-4-ft-Metal-Ha...item19bb047f2c the better ones cost a bit more but they are worth it. and if you just wanted T5's try this. http://cgi.ebay.com/48-NovaExtreme-P...item414e16a502 Bill
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