Aquatraders: Unreal prices-is it quality?
- Thread starter Cdfortin
- Start date
175watt double ended IF I buy cheap fine,IF it breaks in a week fine ,Ican live with that, but they can Be truthful about what it is there selling. I am still looking for someone besides THEM that sell this bulb ,perhaps they have there own company that does it ?that would still be under handed since no where did I read that on there site ! JMO
Aquatraders
I bought their so called 175 watt DE replacement bulb and when it got here,I first noticed that it had a sticker on top of where it used to say 150w.Now I know it's bogus!The sticker said 175 but it's not to be true whatsoever!I can live with it being junk but be honest junk.Anyway,Bought the orbit HQI.Paid like 420.00 but well worth the money.At the time I did'nt have the dough,So I bought the Chinese piece of junk and it does work but I was hoping to get 175watts for my acros but 150 will do as long as you put them up high in the tank.
I bought their so called 175 watt DE replacement bulb and when it got here,I first noticed that it had a sticker on top of where it used to say 150w.Now I know it's bogus!The sticker said 175 but it's not to be true whatsoever!I can live with it being junk but be honest junk.Anyway,Bought the orbit HQI.Paid like 420.00 but well worth the money.At the time I did'nt have the dough,So I bought the Chinese piece of junk and it does work but I was hoping to get 175watts for my acros but 150 will do as long as you put them up high in the tank.
aquatraders.com
alright so you've made it clear that their halide stuff is junk but how bout the ODYSSEA 48" 130W Uni Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture... is that just as much junk as the rest? im not so sure im all that concearned about a lil bit of noise if it works but if its annoyingly loud and flickers then i'll just spend my precious money on something else...
alright so you've made it clear that their halide stuff is junk but how bout the ODYSSEA 48" 130W Uni Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture... is that just as much junk as the rest? im not so sure im all that concearned about a lil bit of noise if it works but if its annoyingly loud and flickers then i'll just spend my precious money on something else...
Aquatraders
I bought a 45 gallon Jebo Odyssea aquarium with integrated hood/filter and stand for about $200. Within 3 weeks the tank developed a massive leak. I returned it to Aquatraders and they are repairing it. I am very dissapointed in the leak but will withhold my final jusgement of aquatraders until I see how the repair goes. Beware of the quality of the Jebo products.
I bought a 45 gallon Jebo Odyssea aquarium with integrated hood/filter and stand for about $200. Within 3 weeks the tank developed a massive leak. I returned it to Aquatraders and they are repairing it. I am very dissapointed in the leak but will withhold my final jusgement of aquatraders until I see how the repair goes. Beware of the quality of the Jebo products.
I bought the 10 gal tank from them. I haven't set it up yet, but it looks ok to me. I also bought the canister filter. It looks like an Eheim. I have been running it for about 2 months and it is working great. I have heard alot of bad things about their lights. I was looking into the skimmer, but I might end up buying a better one. My experience was good, but I was probably just lucky!
Aquatraders has great prices and great products! However, as with many electronics products in the aquaria industry, the Chinese made stuff, regardless of the name brand, is just feeling its way into the industry. I bought a beautiful anodized aluminum flourescent fixture with legs, acrylic shield, twin switches etc. Very nice light at a very attractive price. After setting it up on the tank (as with many Chinese products, no instructions as to how to install the legs) I discovered the light didn't work. I purchased it from a local place, but didn't want to fight the traffic and spend the time returning it, so I took it apart.
The Flourescent lights that are currently being imported and sold under several brand names come with lousy starters. A better pair of starters can be had from Lowes for $1.88.
The switches used in the lights are cheaply made, and can be replaced with switches made in England, Germany, USA or elsewhere for about $3.50 each.
However, the problem in my light, and after a bit of research, is a cold solder joint. This is a very easy fix, and for those of you not mechanically inclined, perhaps a friend or relative can fix this problem for you. A $5 solder iron can save you a ton of money over a similar but far more expensive light!
Some of my friends that participate in this hobby have had minor problems with UV sterilizers, compact flourescents, flourescent strips, and metal halides. All problems were easily overcome with a bit of trouble shooting and easy repair. This was also across the board! Brand names included!
I guess for some of you, saving money isn't an issue, but for those of us that like to buy something for 1/3 to 1/2 the price, find a little tweaking isn't a big deal, and in fact is kind of fun. It adds another aspect to the hobby that makes it more personal.
Also, I'm sorry to hear you had a problem with tank leakage. I know it happens sometimes regardless of brand or place of origin. I have Visio, All Glass, Sea Clear, APBI, and Jebo tanks here. I've not had a problem with any of them. I prefer the Jebo and APBI tanks over any of the others. Tank leakeage can occur simply because it was assembled on a Monday or Friday. It's an easy fix too.
The Flourescent lights that are currently being imported and sold under several brand names come with lousy starters. A better pair of starters can be had from Lowes for $1.88.
The switches used in the lights are cheaply made, and can be replaced with switches made in England, Germany, USA or elsewhere for about $3.50 each.
However, the problem in my light, and after a bit of research, is a cold solder joint. This is a very easy fix, and for those of you not mechanically inclined, perhaps a friend or relative can fix this problem for you. A $5 solder iron can save you a ton of money over a similar but far more expensive light!
Some of my friends that participate in this hobby have had minor problems with UV sterilizers, compact flourescents, flourescent strips, and metal halides. All problems were easily overcome with a bit of trouble shooting and easy repair. This was also across the board! Brand names included!
I guess for some of you, saving money isn't an issue, but for those of us that like to buy something for 1/3 to 1/2 the price, find a little tweaking isn't a big deal, and in fact is kind of fun. It adds another aspect to the hobby that makes it more personal.
Also, I'm sorry to hear you had a problem with tank leakage. I know it happens sometimes regardless of brand or place of origin. I have Visio, All Glass, Sea Clear, APBI, and Jebo tanks here. I've not had a problem with any of them. I prefer the Jebo and APBI tanks over any of the others. Tank leakeage can occur simply because it was assembled on a Monday or Friday. It's an easy fix too.
Last edited:
I have a odyssea cfs4 and its great I also have teh 260 48" light it is also great. BTW odyssea and jebo same thing dont let others tell you otherwise.
