Aqualight Pro HQI 72" - Question

[carym]

I am going to be upgrading my lighting and I am going to go with one of the all-in-one units, couple of questions.

1) Anyone have one of these and if so what do you think of them? Please specify if you have the 1134watt or the 834watt?

2) I am putting this on a 125, it's a 6' tank, I don't have the depth right off hand but what is the opinion on going 150watt or 250watt, I was thinking of going the 250w just because I have some SPS that is setting in the upper 1/2 of the tank under a 150w aqualight advanced clamp on and they are real brown in color, wondering if 150 isn't enough?

3) Also, has anyone purchased the cheaper ones that are selling on ebay, found one that was 499 and one that was 589. First one didn't include shipping so it would be about the same price?

I think that is all the questions I have right now and I really appreciate any comments.

PS There will be some lights for sale once I get the new light so if you are interested stay posted.

Thanks
Cary

[Geoff]

do you have link for the lighting? not sure of the quality, so i will give you my lighting observations.

if you plan on having sand in the tank, i would go with the 250w's. if you are going with a BB tank, you can go with the 175w's if you like a white tank. if you like a bluer tank you should prolly go with the 250w's.

G~

[carym]

Here is the link to the ebay one....

http://cgi.ebay.com/72-1134W-Metal-H...QQcmdZViewItem

[carym]

I do have sand....

Cary

[ScruffyRubicon]

Originally Posted by carym

I am going to be upgrading my lighting and I am going to go with one of the all-in-one units, couple of questions.

1) Anyone have one of these and if so what do you think of them? Please specify if you have the 1134watt or the 834watt?

2) I am putting this on a 125, it's a 6' tank, I don't have the depth right off hand but what is the opinion on going 150watt or 250watt, I was thinking of going the 250w just because I have some SPS that is setting in the upper 1/2 of the tank under a 150w aqualight advanced clamp on and they are real brown in color, wondering if 150 isn't enough?

3) Also, has anyone purchased the cheaper ones that are selling on ebay, found one that was 499 and one that was 589. First one didn't include shipping so it would be about the same price?

I think that is all the questions I have right now and I really appreciate any comments.

PS There will be some lights for sale once I get the new light so if you are interested stay posted.

Thanks
Cary

I have this exact fixture (1134W) I have had it for just over a year and have had no problems at all. I purchased the hanger that mounts from the ceiling and have it 9" above the water. A fan at one end is pretty much a must have as it will heat the water very nicely. My timing is about 12 hours on the actinics and 8 hours on the 3 - 250W MH. I did switch to the AB 10k Bulbs after 6 months and have been very pleased. I am running a sand bed to quote what Geoff mentioned. Any other questions feel free to ask.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Here is two pics. Same pic just one much larger. It should give you a pretty good idea of what it looks like.

[carym]

Bump ... come on more people have to have these lights....let me know what you think....

Thanks
Cary

[carym]

Any other comments on this light or the one mentioned on EBay, I am now thinking about dropping down to the 150's instead of the 250's metal halides. I figured out the problem with my SPS's was the photoperiod. A while back I had an algae breakout and I dropped the photoperiod back to about 8 hours instead of the 12 hours that is recommend.

I am probably going to be placing the order later this week so please comment if you like or dislike these lights.

Thanks
Cary

[DLO]

I ran the 834w Aqualight pro for about 2 years over my 220 . Good solid unit , never had any problems .Also enjoyed having the moon lights. I used the legs that set on the end of the aquarium . Its in storage now that my new tank is running .

[jgordie]

did you ask to see if the lights were UL listed? I inquired about the same lights oin ebay and was told they were not UL listed...therefore if they catch on fire..insurance won't cover it..just some food for thought

[carym]

Thanks jgordie, I was leaning away from the ones on ebay, I had heard a few things about cheap light on ebay that they at least in the past weren't good things...

Cary