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Re: Any opinion on Perfecto SHO's ?
Ivo responded to this post:
> You asked about opinions on the Perfecto SHOligths. I have one 36" long
> 2 X 55 Watt unit. I did not return it at the recall since they told me
that
> the replacement for the 36" long unit was a 1 X 55 Watt. So what would be
> the point of replacing my original 2 X 30 Watt T-12 standard double strip
> with the 1 X 55 watt ? Same amount of light for about twice the cost ? Go
> figure. I also couldn't find in my unit the reasons for the recall, namely
> the reflector edge rubbing against the wires and eventually exposing and
> touching the wire core. But I can imagine that with their shoddy quality
> control, many units could habe been assembled differently, and I could see
> how the problem could happen, given large tolerances for the placement and
> sizes of the internal components.
>
> I bet things like that are behind their decision to drop out of the
market.
> They just cannot compete with better built and competitively priced units
> such as the AllGlass and Oceanic. I did see those at the store and,
believe
> me, they beat the Perfecto ones by a large margin in terms of quality.
> I also do not believe that the market for PC strip lights is shrinking. On
> the contrary, there is evidence it is booming. The recent release of the
> AllGlass, Oceanic and CustomSeaLife models is one evidence. GE and other
> lamp makers offer an increasing variety of high-power PCs bulbs specificaly
> designed for aquarium use. The Phazer fixtures now come with PCs inside,
> and I bet their T8 models will be phased out soon. Ohter brands such as
> JBJ are offering outstanding products (at least they look like to be) at
> competitive prices (see their line at
> http://www.anchofish.com/drygoods_lighting.htm).
>
> If I had a hood which can only fit a Perfecto strip, I would rather ditch
> the hood, replace it with a glass cover and install an AllGlass or Oceanic
> PC strip. Maybe more expensive, but worth it IMO.
>
> Btw, the Perfecto 55 Watt bulbs are just standard, German base (2G11
socket)
> bi-ax lamps that you can find everywhere. Large mail-order aquarium
> suppliers and some LFSs stock the varieties good for aquariums. The
AllGlass
>
> and Oceanic bulbs are one of those. They are custom-made by GE and I
guess,
> based on the spectrum, that the light should look similar, perhaps a
little
> redder, to the light put out by a Triton bulb. Coralife also sells then in
> daylight 6,500 K, and bluer, marine varieties. The best prices I am aware
of
>
> are from AH Supply. They sell both a 6,500 K, >80 CRI, 4,800 lumen type,
and
>
> a 5,500 K, >90 CRI, 3,800 lumen variety. I have one of each, and the mix
> looks excellent to my eyes (and to the plants :-) ).
>
> Good luck,
>
> - Ivo Busko
> Baltimore, MD
>