Is this HQI still worth getting?

Someone from local fish club is selling 3 of these fixtures and one is new in box.

Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture 2x150W HQI & 2X130W Compact Fluorescents, 48 inch 48 current outer orbit

Except it is the 2 96 watt pc version. I know pc light are not great, but just wondered how much it mattered since they are only the acintics.
He is selling for $300 or obo.

I have a 90g tank and would like to have most corals hard and soft. I currently have 2 IC 660 Ballast and was going to build a T5 8 light over driven, but want something until I can finish.

thanks

John

 

looks good if its nib

 

So you think this is strong enough for LPS, SPS corals or I am also leaning to Rose Anemones??

thanks

John

 

Hey John, for a 90g tank, which is 24" deep, you should get dual 250w instead of 150w. I also have a 90g and I have dual 250w MH and dual 96w pC actinics.


Luna

 

if you have the money for a 2 x 250 watt then definately get that one. I have a 2x150 only and have some sps and some lps in my tank both did well on the bottom... i mean not crazy fast growth but its growing well.

 

Luna I would love to get that, but the cost is to high right now. What $1k?
In the future I have been thinking about doing a 8 light T5 with 2 IC 660 ballast that will over drive the bulbs to 85 watts each.
If you think this light will not be strong enough I will just wait and finish building the T5 fixture.

What do you think?

 

130w PCs are a pain in the a... to find!! Plus they are not cheap, IMO I would forget that fixture entirely.

You know my answer will be to build the T5 retro!

 

I know the T5 will be stronger light and cooler. This guy was just selling them so cheap it was hard not to think about the purchase. I have the IC 660 Ballast already just need the other $600 for the reflectors bulbs etc...lol

 

SLRs and lamps shouldn't be $600...

 

From the looks of your avatar, your a handy kind of guy. Have you considered Odyssea light fixtures? I paid $329.00 shipped for a 48" dual 250w HQI DE MH's, dual 96w PC actinics, 6 lunar lights and 5 separate power cords. Of course, that was almost 3 yrs ago so the price might have increased a little. I replace the 2 cheap internal cooling fans with 4 fans and I have also replaced the stock ballasts. So as of now, I have spent...
1. $329.
2. $20. Fans
3. $260. 2 ballasts
For a grand total of $609.00. Thats still not bad and the unit is still working(knocking on wood). And you dont have to replace the ballast if you dont want to. Food for thought.



Luna