AliExpress A8SE Reef Light

[Kodock]

Well I just got screwed over on ordering the lights. I ordered one pro light on the 6th and have yet to receive it. I just received an email from ups louisville intl. that I owe $129.30
This was the pro version I paid a little over $300 for. I contacted the seller who assured me there would be no customs charges. I also ordered 2 more of the se models on the 24th which he also assured me there would be no customs charges. I havent received the bill for those yet so hard to tell how much they will be. At this point if I refuse to not pay are the lights sent back? And then will they ever be received and a credit issues. From where I stand I am just about forced to pay the customs fees.
This sucks
Jeff

Any chance it’s a scammer claiming to be UPS? De minimis exemptions don’t end until May 2nd. Anything less than $800 is exempt from duty until then. Do you have anything from the seller regarding terms, like if it’s a DDP (seller covers the duties/tax/etc. - you prepay them for it and they go to the seller for any charges owed)

I wouldn’t accept it and dispute the charge.

 

[Inesq.]

I will want buy the a8se max or blue, however I have noticed the blue has no green in it , and also I have found this https://www.dhgate.com/product/x30-...ff|tspirit|3|8e6601275c88cc62324e986cbc1366a6

This looks closer to rx30 blue then the a8se as leds go.. however no one makes any reviews video even bad or whatever for the a8se I even ended up looking at russian videos with cc on yt just find more info and see how they look over tanks and see par and spread tested.

Anyway awesome info share from all I just wanted see if anyone has the above light or what you think of it thx.

 

[coralbeauties]

Any chance it’s a scammer claiming to be UPS? De minimis exemptions don’t end until May 2nd. Anything less than $800 is exempt from duty until then. Do you have anything from the seller regarding terms, like if it’s a DDP (seller covers the duties/tax/etc. - you prepay them for it and they go to the seller for any charges owed)

I wouldn’t accept it and dispute the charge.

not a scammer. The tracking number shows duty funds due, either prepay or will be collected by the driver at delivery. I messaged the seller and am waiting on a response. I wouldnt suggest anyone buy one of these lights at the moment till there is a clear guidance as to what is going on.

 

[Reef_Crasher]

Must have been the BreezeAqua seller. Shows my address is unavailable with them as well. Some alibaba sellers were saying they would be stopping shipment 5/1

Bought from BreezeAqua on the 20th. They finally "shipped" on the 26th then canceled the shipping 2 days later. Just got a message form them asking that I'm required to pay a tax on the lights I ordered. Didn't state how much is the tax but in the process of figuring that out.

 

[bradreef]

I'm hoping I don't get the same. Mine is in the US and cleared customs. Now it shows may 1 delivery.

 

[Reef_Crasher]

Bought from BreezeAqua on the 20th. They finally "shipped" on the 26th then canceled the shipping 2 days later. Just got a message form them asking that I'm required to pay a tax on the lights I ordered. Didn't state how much is the tax but in the process of figuring that out.

Update: They were asking for around $200 USD. Hope I can cancel and get a refund cause the order was marked as shipped.

 

[coralbeauties]

update on the shipping of my lights. The seller YZY Aquarium Store on aliexpress offered to pay for half of the $129 that ups has billed me for. He claims he has shipped the other two lights in a way as to avoid the tariff fees and I should not worry. If that is indeed true I will post for others to purchase from them.
I have been very impressed with the lights so far. Ive been running them for 2 weeks now and the only issue Ive has was one of the three lost it time and I had to reset it. I added in 40% white to the ab+ schedule and am loving the color.
Jeff

 

[TangLvr]

update on the shipping of my lights. The seller YZY Aquarium Store on aliexpress offered to pay for half of the $129 that ups has billed me for. He claims he has shipped the other two lights in a way as to avoid the tariff fees and I should not worry. If that is indeed true I will post for others to purchase from them.
I have been very impressed with the lights so far. Ive been running them for 2 weeks now and the only issue Ive has was one of the three lost it time and I had to reset it. I added in 40% white to the ab+ schedule and am loving the color.
Jeff

I have a 10x3x3 tank. Would these work to grow most corals?

How many would you suggest?

 

[coralbeauties]

On a 10 ft tank I would guess probably 6 especially being 3 ft from front to back. I have 4 on my 7ft frag tank and the coverage if very good. One of those situation where 3 isnt enough but 4 is more then enough for my 7 ft tank

 

[bradreef]

On a 10 ft tank I would guess probably 6 especially being 3 ft from front to back. I have 4 on my 7ft frag tank and the coverage if very good. One of those situation where 3 isnt enough but 4 is more then enough for my 7 ft tank

Only issue is 3 ft deep. You might want the high intensity lenses. Those reduce spread. What coral/ par are you wanting? These lights stock do really well in 24 x 30 inches down 24 inches imo

 

[JonoH]

Any reports from long term users of these lights?
Like anyone been running them for 3+ years now?

 

[LittleMaui]

Any reports from long term users of these lights?
Like anyone been running them for 3+ years now?

Has the technology existed that long.

 

[JonoH]

Has the technology existed that long.

Early 2023 they started making them...so maybe not 3 years, but maybe 2?

 

[bradreef]

My delivery today looks promising

 

[oreo54]

Early 2023 they started making them...so maybe not 3 years, but maybe 2?

Appeared here 3-9-2022..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ecotech-radion-g5-knock-off-found.897909/
So there could be 3 yr old ones..

 

[TangLvr]

Only issue is 3 ft deep. You might want the high intensity lenses. Those reduce spread. What coral/ par are you wanting? These lights stock do really well in 24 x 30 inches down 24 inches imo

Do they make a high intensity light version?

I am completely new to reef, coming from fowlr only. So don’t even know what I am wanting to grow.

 

[penfold2]

Do they make a high intensity light version?

I am completely new to reef, coming from fowlr only. So don’t even know what I am wanting to grow.

This particular light comes with 125° lenses which provide wider coverage, but lose intensity more quickly at greater distances. If you have a taller tank, Ecotech makes a narrow lens panel that will reduce the spread, but keep the intensity higher at greater depths. I think most people do fine with the standard lenses, but those with big, tall tanks may need the narrow lenses.

 

[TangLvr]

This particular light comes with 125° lenses which provide wider coverage, but lose intensity more quickly at greater distances. If you have a taller tank, Ecotech makes a narrow lens panel that will reduce the spread, but keep the intensity higher at greater depths. I think most people do fine with the standard lenses, but those with big, tall tanks may need the narrow lenses.

So these probably won’t work for my situation? Or is adaptable with an Ecotech lens upgrade? I apologize sincerely not super familiar with reef LEDs

 

[bradreef]

So these probably won’t work for my situation? Or is adaptable with an Ecotech lens upgrade? I apologize sincerely not super familiar with reef LEDs

You can use the ecotech lense on these. You would need the lense if you wanted higher light corals all the way to the bottom. The regular lights would be fine with LPS/mid- lower light corals in the bottom half.

I have 3 mounted this way over 60 inch by 30. I would say double it for yours.

 

[bradreef]

Mine delivered today without any bumps on tarrifs. Just in time and at this price, it's hard to beat.