Sunday, August 21, 2011 Aqualight Power Compact Fixture for Freshwater - Square Pin - 2 x 96W - 36 in. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Overall I'm happy with this unit.

It is very clean-looking and seems to be reasonably well-made.It's a big improvement over the ugly plastic unit I had before.

I especially like having the dual cords and being able to put them on separate timers.And with both bulbs on, it's like high noon in there.

But here are some details that I would like to have known before ordering:

1. The fans are audible even from 10' away, and I do wish they were quieter.In a quiet room I notice them over the noise of my filter and pump.With music or TV on I don't notice them.

2. The fans come on only when the front strip is on.So turning on only the rear light will not turn on the fans.From the product sheet, this is by design, intended for the case where the rear strip is used for a moon lamp (which is not how this product is configured as sold).

Since the single-strip version of this product doesn't have a fan, I guess that running only the rear strip should not cause overheating.But if the fan is only necessary when both bulbs are blazing, I wish they had configured it that way. Or better yet provided a switch for the fan between on-for-both-bulbs or on-for-either-bulb.

3. Each bulb is a Coralife 34" 6700K, 96 Watt, dual-tube-type compact flourescent with a square-pin connector.Replacements are costly, in the range of $38-$50/bulb as of Nov. 2006.

4. Measured with a P3 Kill-A-Watt meter, the unit consumes only 82W with just the front bulb on, and 158W with both bulbs on.I'm not sure why the power consumption isn't at least 2x96=192W?

5. Each bulb is held in its metal retaining clips by two silicone (heat-proof) rubber bands.I had one band break in shipping along with a bulb, and another band broke during careful handling while replacing the broken bulb.I don't know where to get new silicone bands, and none were included in the replacement bulb package.This is a weak point for the product, but so far the bandless bulb has stayed in its clip.

6. The product has a 12-month limited warranty from the distributor (not the retailer).Since there's no information on expected bulb life, it's not immediately clear whether this warranty covers the bulbs.

Despite the detractions noted, it's a very nice improvement to my aquarium.

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Product Description:
Powerful lighting for freshwater aquariums. Whether you have live plants, or just want the most natural, brilliant lighting for your tank, the Freshwater Aqualight is your answer. With the power of compact lamps, your plants get the light they need to perform photosynthesis, and the full-spectrum output gives your tank a beautiful, natural look This Coralife Freshwater Aqualight is a sleek and streamlined fixture designed to enhance and complement freshwater and planted aquariums.Its compact and low profile style is suitable for applications where space is limited.