JBJ Viper HQI 150W what do u guys think?

[al0ha]

hey everybody, i was thinking about buying one of these lights for my AGA 29 gallon, the 150 Watt one. it comes with a 14k bulb im hearing mixed reviews online, so i just want to hear what your imput is on these fixtures. im asking more about the quality of it since thats the part where i hear most of the criticism. thanks alot!


also, i just set up an RO unit, so i was wondering if anybody would be kind enough to let me borrow their TDS meter, i'll return it asap! thanks! :tongue1:

 

[chazertis]

first, let me say i don't own one. but i was in the market for a clamp on light for quite some time so i did a lot of research. there used to be design and build quality issues with the viper, especially on the articulating arms/screws. from what i know they've since fixed them. the biggest complaint i've heard is that the ballast is crap so the people are dissatisfied with the color of the bulb and the brightness. having said this, this is pretty much the only clamp on light fixture. coralife makes a clamp on light too but if you get that you're limited to using their bulbs which are intrinsically uv shielded while the fixture is not. they're also more expensive. i'd check nano-reef.com, they've got tons of people over there using this light with comparison pictures and reviews

 

[daaznmofo]

i have one. it's ok. i don't really like the screw on hang on back because i always think that it's gonna fall in the water since it's heavy.
but if you don't want a pendant and have a small tank, i would recommend it. you can always find if for 200 or less.

 

[al0ha]

yeah thats the thing i dont want a hanging pendant coz i only have a 29 gal, im leaning towards getting one coz of the price. thanks

 

[ecvernon]

viper

i have one on my 14 gallon cube and I like it. It is very sturdy on my tank using the gap filler provided. just like any metal halide it will raise the tank temperature quickly and you are gonna have to get a chiller. I was looking towards the coralife version because it has a built in fan. I decided against because it was $100 more. Ill use that 100 towards a chiller

 

[daaznmofo]

i agree with eric. i'm also getting a chiller with the money saved

 

[qckwzrd]

I was going to get the Viper fixture but found someone selling a Haqos fixture for cheap, its a 150w hqi fixture. Had it for a few months now with no problems
http://www.haqos.com/product_show.asp?id=63

 

[chazertis]

hey that light looks good. how much? and where do they sell it? i didn't see that you could order it off the site

 

[ssmtcarlo]

BOOO get a 30" TEK T5 fixture. 4t5 over a 29 will be more than enough also keep it cooler.

 

[al0ha]

hmmm i wonder too how much that haqos is and where to buy it :scratchch

 

[qckwzrd]

My friend got it from a lfs in bklyn, I think it was thousand island/aquariums...something like that.

 

[al0ha]

hmm where at in bk? coz i work by prospect park/park slope sometimes and clinton hill, hopefully its around there

 

[ecvernon]

thousand island aquarium is on utica avenue off of flatlands avenue
used to shop there but they has live stock issues dont know about now...
1963 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel: 718-241-6688
718-629-4819

 

[ecvernon]

jbj 250 watt viper new!!!

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1653

should i put this on my 14 gallon lol j/k

 

[daaznmofo]

looks nice