buildyourownaquarium,com lighting

[sferris1]

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

 

[ndepratt]

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.

 

[daugherty]

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

 

[ndepratt]

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

 

[sferris1]

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

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

 

[dcantucson]

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

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

 

[sferris1]

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

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

 

[dustin_P74]

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

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

 

[daugherty]

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

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

yes he did have a very bad experience with them

 

[ndepratt]

<3 retrofits

 

[sferris1]

dont forget what bob had to say about catalina

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

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.

 

[sferris1]

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.