Hamilton a Bargain?

So I'm setting up a 75g and searching far and wide for a light system, rather than dropping $500-700 brand new, which I don't have...I walk into my LFS and in talking with the owner (we've become pretty close) he begins to tell me about a 120g setup he is tearing down on Sunday. A 4ft Hamilton 2x250w HQI MH & 2x110w VHO fixture will become available. It's only 6 months old and he offered it to me for $180. The fixture is pictured here 4FT Deluxe Metal Halide with Fluorescents Aquarium supplies & Aquarium lighting by Hamilton Technology and is the last fixture shown. The retail price is shown at over $800.

Has anyone used anything like this before?

I've done some researching and it looks like they're great lighting with a great reputation.

My other question is this....I was planning on building a canopy, as I can't hang lights (live in an apt).

What would you suggest as far as a canopy goes?

Thanks

 

On the canopy you could make one of plywood it would be your cheapest option. You will need to make it tall enough to house the fixture and to keep the lights at least 6 to 8" above water level.

Can't help on the quality of the fixture.

 

Hamilton is one of those companies that I've heard of, but haven't heard many opinions about their products. For that price though, you really can't go wrong, even if you need to upgrade the ballast or something, you will still save a boat load of money.

 

Hamilton has been around for a long time. A good company as far as I know.

 

I love the hamilton ballasts. I prefer them over my electronic ballasts.

 

Hamilton is a great company bought my new light from them and there was a great improvement.

 

super great deal! jump on it. can always change out bulbs down the line.. UVL VHO super actinics bulbs would be good bulbs for the VHO fixture. and phoenix,xm,etc for MH bulbs. I would also make the canopy taller than you need, just in case you decide to raise the fixture up high in near future due to heat. cooling fans will be a must too.

 

All bulbs are 6 months old and I already have some nice 10k bulbs in order to replace old ones. I'll find some super actinics for the VHO, thanks!

My canopy would probably end up being at least 12-18" tall, you think?

 

what ever the height of the light fixture is make sure you have at least 8--10" below that to the top of water line and leave a inch above fixutre for air to vent/circulate.. i dont have MH but this would be the way I would do it.
..........^.............^...hot air
..........|..............|
.......|----------------|
.......|fans|fixture|fans|
....<-|fans.......... fans|<---cool air
.......|___WATER_____|

have outside cool air blow above water, and inside hot air blow upward and/or out to opposite sides of canopy. others will chime in (if im wrong)

sorry about my art work had to insert "." periods so imagine those arent there..

 

From what I can tell from the pic in the link,I have the reflector part of that set up from a retro kit.it is made of good quality metal,but it does not focus the light down enough into tank..the sides are not long enough to cover the halide bulbs and you will get alot of light bleed..im going to replace the reflector with prob lumateks(sp?) in the not so far future..but for the money you can get it for is not a bad deal..


I now have a full canopy that helps focus more light down..you can see the difference.