Cheap, Unbranded Overtank Luminaire

[ddm18]

Hi all,

Just thinking about a new hood, and am pretty tempted by the Arcadia overtank luminaires, but they are a bit pricey. I had a look around for alternatives, and found:

http/www.snapperaquatics.co.uk/index.asp...mp;productid=97

Does anyone have any experience with it? My gut instinct is that it's too good to be true, but having said that, it does have 3, T5 lamps, and it even looks like they can be independently switched, to some extent (two switches on the side).

I'm sure it won't do the cool tipping-back thing for easy access like the Arcadia version, but how essential is that? I can imagine that it's handy, but if I'm sensible with the wiring, I can obviously just remove the whole unit.

EDIT: After actually engaging my brain, I found there was a better description:

http/www.snapperaquatics.co.uk/index.asp...AT&catid=37

So it does tilt back, and it is independently switched. So why so cheap...?

 

[Lord_Dante]

I use this in my tank. Seems to work fine. All my corals are ok. Nothing fancy just xenia, polyps and some zoos. It's well worth the money IMO.

 

[Fatty]

Yep, these are ok, I used to use one bought from the very same guy.

I think mainly the difference is in the Wattage the 4ft set I got were not as high wattage as the Arcadia so...

I bought a seperate upgraded electronic ballast and higher rated tubes and took the unit apart at fitted the new tubes. The ballast needed to be external so it needs to be protected, but it worked very well.

I did use it for probably a year and the clear perspex cover started to discolour and melt around where the brackets were. Iguess the brackets allowed heat to build up and over time it melted it.... slightly.

I'd say if you don't have too much in the way of light dependant corals go for it.. but as always there is a certain amount of justification in the more expensive Arcadia!



Just had a look, they are 28 Watt as opposed to Arcadias 54 Watt, and blimey the price on the cheap ones has rocketed!!!

was £35 odd quid when I bought it..