buildyourownaquarium,com lighting

• Jun 19, 2009

• #1

sferris1

Reefing newb

Has anyone purchased lights from this site www.buildyourownaquarium.com Im looking to buy new lights for my 55 and these seem pretty reasonable but usually you get what you pay for. These are the ones I was looking at Buildyouraquarium - 48'' Aquarium Light T5 HO 6 x 54 Moon Lunar Reef

 

• Jun 19, 2009

• #2

ndepratt

Equipment Junkie

supposedly the company who makes that brand (UltraLight) is Catalina.

Catalina is a cheap knock-off company.... however in my opinion they're not bad at all... I read a couple reviews of this from other forums after reading your post, and the reviews aren't bad.

While Made in the US is a little debatable... they use acceptable ballasts that aren't going to burn your house down. lol. The only downside, which is the downside with any non-brand-name unit like this is that the bulbs aren't very good.

Did have one bad experience with Catalina and their MH ballasts, an LFS I was at got a shipment of all non-working ballasts.... ouch.

 

• Jun 19, 2009

• #3

daugherty

part time reefer

i have a catalina light and love it. they dont have the best reflectors but it still puts out good light

 

• Jun 19, 2009

• #4

ndepratt

Equipment Junkie

if you get it you have to do an in-depth review :P

 

• Jun 20, 2009

• #5

sferris1

Reefing newb

ndepratt said:

if you get it you have to do an in-depth review :P

Click to expand...

Yeah i definately will still debating though I would hate to waste the money on garbage.

 

• Jun 20, 2009

• #6

dcantucson

Reef pro

sferris1 said:

Yeah i definately will still debating though I would hate to waste the money on garbage.

Click to expand...

Well... in that case how about one of these?
Giesemann Infiniti HQI + T5 Light Fixture

 

• Jun 20, 2009

• #7

sferris1

Reefing newb

dcantucson said:

Well... in that case how about one of these?
Giesemann Infiniti HQI + T5 Light Fixture

Click to expand...

Definately dont want to spend $1700 nor do I have that kind of a budget wish I did though.

 

• Jun 20, 2009

• #8

D

dustin_P74

Reef enthusiast

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

https://www.livingreefs.com/catalina-t5-solar-72-light-t15903.html

 

• Jun 21, 2009

• #9

daugherty

part time reefer

dustin_P74 said:

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

https://www.livingreefs.com/catalina-t5-solar-72-light-t15903.html

Click to expand...

yes he did have a very bad experience with them

 

• Jun 21, 2009

• #10

ndepratt

Equipment Junkie

<3 retrofits

 

• Jun 22, 2009

• #11

sferris1

Reefing newb

dustin_P74 said:

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

https://www.livingreefs.com/catalina-t5-solar-72-light-t15903.html

Click to expand...

I did forget and I did read that, but I guess its to late cause I ordered them today. I will let everyone know how I make out.

 

• Jul 1, 2009

• #12

sferris1

Reefing newb

Ok I told everyone I would give an update. I received my lights today and everything looked in order and it was.These lights that I ordered from buildyouraquarium.com are definately from catalina. What I dont understand is that catalina charges 375 now on sale for 299 plus 55 for the legs and the moon lights for the same exact light that I paid 230 for with legs and moons. I uploaded some pics sorry about the quality cant find my camera used my phone.

 

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