VHOs from www.happyreefing.com

[chem-e]

Just wondering if anyone has bought the VHOs from www.happyreefing.com and what they're experience was with this vendor.

[Irisservice]

I have never purchased from them but check out hellolights.com
I have great success with there products.

[chem-e]

Thanks for the advice Irisservice. Unfortunately, I already purchased their VHOs because they had a sale that was ending and it seemed like a pretty good deal.

[Irisservice]

So what did you get?

[chem-e]

I bought the 36" VHO for about $130. It's not too bad a deal since it includes the bulbs. I'm planning on getting a larger tank in the future, so I was thinking about using the 36" as my actinics and then buying either the 48" T5 or MHs. I'm hoping that even though the actinics will be a little shorter, the daylights will compensate. Which one I get, will depend on the reviews for the T5.

[Irisservice]

Cool post up a photo when its up.

[chem-e]

Sure thing.

Too bad I have to build a canopy too. This is going to be the hard part. Atleast I have some plans for it already.

[Irisservice]

Cool.
What size tank?
What are yor plans?

[kennerd]

chem-e

Were the shipping charges true the quote, or do they add for the length of the bulbs? I ask, since I am comparing to oceanencounter.com for the purchase of 2 36" bulbs, 2 sets of endcaps and the price is identical, but the shipping charges are more:

happyreefing: $60.00 + $11.00 shipping= $71.00
oceanencounter: $60.00+$6.28shipping+$15 bulb box surcharge=$81.28

Ken

[chem-e]

kennerd - Unfortunately, I don't know if they charge a bulb box surcharge. What I do know is that I ordered a retrofit kit (with bulbs) and I was charged $15. I would probably email them and ask them to be sure that they don't have any extra charges for bulbs. It does say on their website that they have a flat shipping rate, so I would assume that there's no extra charges, but it's better to be safe and email them.

[chem-e]

Irisservice - Here's what I plan on doing. Let me know what you think. I still need to figure out what material I'm using and how to get a cherry finish.

[on_fire_8]

To get a accurate comparison on price I would check with www.hellolights.com . I dont know if you could have saved money there or not? :roll:

[Irisservice]

Look good...

[kennerd]

chem-e

Were the shipping charges true the quote, or do they add for the length of the bulbs? I ask, since I am comparing to oceanencounter.com for the purchase of 2 36" bulbs, 2 sets of endcaps and the price is identical, but the shipping charges are more:

happyreefing: $60.00 + $11.00 shipping= $71.00
oceanencounter: $60.00+$6.28shipping+$15 bulb box surcharge=$81.28

Ken

hellolights: $57.50 + $6.95 shipping=$64.45 as usual, Brian has the best pricing. Was basically looking to add more drygoods to the order from oceanencounter, but obviously worth it at hellolights!

[chem-e]

What do most of you do for hinges? Do you just buy regular metal hinges? And if you do, I assume they rust pretty quickly, so are there any problems?

[BigFish]

alot of metal hinges are made for outdoor use so they dont rust just ask the guy at the hard ware store :mrgreen: also well I guess the salt might cause rusting :idea: mabe we need to invent titanium hinges

[kennerd]

mabe we need to invent titanium hinges

I can see it now: people getting completely flamed in the classifieds:

WTT/WTS brand new canopy for 125-

Brand new 1/4 ply custom made canopy, painted black with brand new NASA grade titanium hinges: $800.00 or trade for 3/4 hp chiller. (serious inquiries only as hinges alone cost $750)

:D

Sorry: had to run with that one!

[Irisservice]

LOL
Sounds like a fair trade....