MH - Is this a good buy?

[masterkaw]

I was looking around for some metal halides and came accross this one. Is this a good buy or should I stay away from it? Will this work for my 72 gallon tank? I appreciate the help. Thank you.

 

[masterkaw]

Sorry, I forgot to paste the address. Here it is; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300259320839&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=130255004425&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

 

[masterkaw]

Any comments?

 

[Reefscape]

Besides the auction being fiished...lol....yes, it looked like a nice buy to me...

 

[Sploke]

the only thing I would be concerned about is the lack of brand name. for something that has the potential to get hot enough to start fires, I would prefer buying something backed by a company with a good reputation.

 

[masterkaw]

Besides the auction being fiished...lol....yes, it looked like a nice buy to me...

Yes the auctions is over but there is a few of these that come up now and then.

 

[wildman117]

the only thing I would be concerned about is the lack of brand name. for something that has the potential to get hot enough to start fires, I would prefer buying something backed by a company with a good reputation.

as long as it is UL listed it should be okay

 

[Sploke]

And the auction states nothing about that...so the only way to find out would be to buy it?

 

[masterkaw]

the only thing I would be concerned about is the lack of brand name. for something that has the potential to get hot enough to start fires, I would prefer buying something backed by a company with a good reputation.

Is there another one that you suggest? How about the wattage? Is this amount good enough for a 72 gallon or can I go lower wattage for metal halide? Do I have to add a chiller? Or can I get away without using a chiller?

 

[Sploke]

As far as brands go, Aqua Medic, Coralife, Current USA and IceCap are some well-known brands. That wattage would be plenty for your tank size, you could probably even get away with 2x175w, although the 2x250 will allow you to keep just about anything you want, limited by tank size. Whether you need a chiller or not will have to be determined by your individual setup, you might just have to wait and see.