Mistake?!?!

Well, before I throw some money down the tubes thought I'd ask you guys. I'm going to go look at a 72" coralife light tomorrow. That's all the person knows about it got it in the divorce wants it gone. I know this isn't a lot to go on, but my questions are; Is it a good brand(i haven't really looked much into lights), what should I be on the look out for in a used fixture, any tell tale signs of it being garbage? I know not much info on what it is but what do used fixtures go for (obviously condition counts). Hoping it will be a nice fixture for a great price but who knows until I look at it.
thanks

 

I'm sure you have already done this, but I would just google it so you know what to look for. That way you can see what it looks like brand new. I would plan on replacing the bulbs ASAP though. It sounds like this guy wont know about the history of the light as well. Sounds like his ex-wife was the one in the hobby.

 

Smith i can always count on you for a response haha appreciate it. yeah I've looked at all their models so I can see what it might be. Ex wife, doesn't seem to have any idea she said she had a big clear box with blue balls and a pipe like sterilizer too lol.

 

Lol, you have to love it. I thought it might be a situation like that. If it is a good price, then it is probably worth it. Do you have other options? I got my light from here: T5 Aquarium Lighting - Guaranteed Best Prices Online

 

Honestly lights were last on my list of things to get. I've been emailing the guy I got the tank from and he is supposed to send me an inventory list. Trying to work out a deal with him to make it worth my while to drive back down to him, he's about an hour away. But, I figure if he can give me a good bundle up a deal on a light, substrate, some liverock, maybe a few other things be worth both of our times. If I don't get sand from him then im thinking Marcos rocks any opinion on them?

 

First, Coralife isn't one of the best options on the market. They only have a cheap single reflector, so you'll need to use high-quality bulbs (ATI, Giesemann, etc) to get your light into the tank for corals.

Secondly, it depends on the type of light and what you plan to keep. If it's a standard output T5 or T8, you'll be stuck with FO or FOWLR. With a PC, you'll be restricted to low to medium light corals like mushrooms and softies. If it's a 2-bulb T5HO, you can keep higher-light LPS species, and if it's a 4-bulb T5HO, MH, or MH+T5, you can keep most anything.

Last but not least, make sure it works. If the ballast is shot, it's trash.

 

was a pile of junk

 

That bites... I was hoping for you since I am also looking to get lights I know what it is like. If I had a dollar for every time someone tried to pawn off used junk on me... I might have enough for a good LED fixture LOL.

 

They worked but were power compact and pretty well worn proll could have gotten it for 50 bucks but not worth it did get a 950gl/hr return pump and 25 lbs of dry rock for $30 though not a complete waste. there was a huge gamma uva sterilizer but i dont know anything about them so i passed.