Whats this? and should i bid on it? 400w

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by asking4trouble, Jun 14, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. asking4trouble

    asking4trouble Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 18, 2009
    Messages:
    81
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Hey ;D Just wondering if someone could advise me if I should bid on this:

    400W Metal Halide Lamp + More! - eBay Lights, Hydroponics, Gardening, Lawn Care, Home. (end time 16-Jun-09 17:27:35 AEST)

    Its a 400W metal halide lamp which looks cheap, but it doesnt look like one ive seen before in terms of the casing/reflector. Or it doesnt seem to have one?
    Its probably really obvious sorry but lighting is still a pretty weak area in my reef knowledge, so if someone could be kind enough to advice me if i could use this over a tank i would really appreciate it :) :) :)
     
    asking4trouble, Jun 14, 2009
    asking4trouble, Jun 14, 2009
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. jakeh24

    jakeh24 Pajama Cardinal

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2008
    Messages:
    1,428
    Location:
    reno, NV
    its a retrofit plus some other stuff like test kits and such
    you could put this over a tank but you would need to build a hood
     
    jakeh24, Jun 14, 2009
    jakeh24, Jun 14, 2009
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2008
    Messages:
    5,736
    Location:
    Wilmington, DE
    Just like your name, you are asking for trouble with something like that. It mentions the bulb, control box and shade. They could be anything, without more specifics I would not bid on that. I would want a picture of the reflector at least and the ballast, is it magnetic or electronic, is it even a 400w ballast. There are just too few facts in the description.
     
    GuitarMan89, Jun 14, 2009
    GuitarMan89, Jun 14, 2009
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. n1sm0r

    n1sm0r Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    Messages:
    79
    Do NOT buy.

    Light is one thing you do not want to skimp on. It creates a lot of heat, and carries a lot of electrical current and it's crucial that everything is mated perfectly. Even something simple like having the wrong ballast or wiring not "heavy" enough could result in a fire.

    Get a name brand light that is tried and tested.
    eBay is great for a lot of things, but try to use it to maybe look for cheap used brand name lights.
     
    n1sm0r, Jun 14, 2009
    n1sm0r, Jun 14, 2009
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. papareef

    papareef Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    242
    Location:
    canada
    That bulb is not the proper one for a tank.I bet my tank that it's in the 6k spectrum.And judging on what else is included in the bundle,it's for a different kind of "reefer" ;)
     
    papareef, Jun 14, 2009
    papareef, Jun 14, 2009
    #5
    1 person likes this.
  6. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,111
    Location:
    Earth
    Agreed. Save your cash for a proper light. These lights might make Mary Jane look great, but coral, not so much.
     
    ZachB, Jun 14, 2009
    ZachB, Jun 14, 2009
    #6
    1 person likes this.

    7. Click Here!

  7. asking4trouble

    asking4trouble Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 18, 2009
    Messages:
    81
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Thanks for your quick replies guys, appreciate it~!
    Maybe i should buy it and grow something to supplement the cost of the fish tank.... hmmmm. I swear officer, the reefer was only to buy more reef, promise.

    Cheers everyone for helping me save some cash :) :) :)
     
    asking4trouble, Jun 14, 2009
    asking4trouble, Jun 14, 2009
    #7