I just return P30 to them. The screw cover came out easily and thus having safety concern. Was about to try Asta 120. But seeing this video, I decided not to proceed. Thanks. :)
Customer service is everything. I have a Ego lawn mower. The fast charger wasn't working. I gave them a call, a few questions and a new free one was on the way to me. A week later i decided to open up the original one. It suffered just a blown fuse and I now have two chargers, (don't tell Ego). I have the weaker Asta aquarium light and that's been a champ for about two years so far, however recently I switched back to a Nicrew light , so all three of my tanks run a Nicrew with good plant growth.
At any time, something can break I do understand that, so I'm not upset about it breaking. What I'm upset about is they blow you off as you don't even exist after you have bought several of their products.
Hey Dr. Novak, love your videos and very informative for us hobbyists. I've recently built and installed a plenum and made a few bcb bags. Also, I've bought the Fzone canister canister filter and is up and running as well. I've been trying to find a way to contact you for a couple weeks now to ask you a few questions, send a couple pictures and for a little guidance for my system. Anyways, keep up the great work. You truly are making a difference for us. Thanks in advance, IA.
This has been my experience with most products made by Chinese manufacturers selling on Amazon. It has gotten to the point, where I only buy from recognized brand name products, from companies that have been established for a long time. I also make sure it is sold either by the manufacturer themselves or Amazon, to avoid refurbish or returned goods. Unfortunately even if Amazon removes this company, within a few days, Asta (or whoever the company who makes the light) will start a new seller account and just rename the light and relist them.
The problem is most of the reviews could be paid for or made up reviews so now sellers have become very smart and how to sell their products to unsuspected buyers.
I had one of these lights go out. I tossed my wiggies on the board and couldnt figure it out. Im guessing a fuse blew but couldnt see anything wrong with it. I know nothing about electronics but definitely will start learning more about it. Seems neat
Good Lord you are a wealth of information. Not being sarcastic, which I am frequently hahaha, you really are someone I love tunning in to for the real skinny. Thanks Dr N!
Love your videos Dr Novak. I noticed that these lights don't have a DC power brick like some other aquarium lights so these may be running on AC power only. Do you have any thoughts on safety on these lights compared to other aquarium lights running on DC?
They're probably design much like your LED lightbulbs that you use. However, I do have the brand new one that they came out with and it has an Ac to DC converter and it gets way too hot like 130°F.
I'm having the same problem with a company called Zetlight. Both sides are telling me to contact the other instead of asking for proof of purchase or a picture/video of the light malfunctioning, which would allow me to get a refund or replacement.
I bought a couple from Amazon Australia a few months ago so will be interested to find out how long they last. They are on my 500ltr about 8-10 hr per day at minimum light output.
Dr. Novak, do you know a good alternative led light for good plant growth? That’s also affordable? I have found the Chihiros WRGB II Pro 120 cm LED light (120-140 cm, 138 W, 11170 lm) from “green aqua. The price looks fair for what i read from the specs. But i don’t know if the luminous output is strong enough for plants to photosynthesis. Greetings from the Netherlands.
So sorry to see this update as I just bought and installed two of these. I looked on the installation sheet I received and there is contact information. I will try share it here if you like, let me know.
Fingers crossed my lights have no issues. I am running a low tech set up, using lower level of light. Hoping that will be in my favor. Thank you for the informative videos!
@@lindaj I hope so because I just bought a Kessil 160 and it is nowhere near as bright as the Asta 120. Somebody on my channel, gave me the address of the company that makes the lights and I have written to them with zero response coming back from them on their guarantee. The only guarantee they seem to want to warrant is the 90 day guarantee that Amazon gives on their products so you can return them within that timeframe. I think it's still a very good light for the price. Unfortunately, the company is a lousy, and shouldn't be in business.
Good to hear. Basically they only cover the light for 90 days and that's because Amazon covers products for 90 days. I've tried to contact the company through Email to no avail have they contacted me back.. So if your light is it within the 90 day guidelines of Amazon, then you can send it back or they will give you a refund for the product. But don't expect anything from the manufacture. In fact, I would call Amazon and complain, the more complaints they get then they may call the manufacture off of Amazon.
Sir I request you please make a video related to lighting requirements of aquatic plants I think its much hyped kindly make us understand lighting needs of aquatic plants so we can grow dense plants without algae please I sincerely request you you are the only one whom we can trust if you see other UA-cam videos it’s absolutely confusing and not adequate 🙏🙏🙏
Sir I have seen those videos and they are very helpful based on that I have built a lighting system which has been working absolutely fine better than any lights out there and it’s not rgb all the videos out there don’t give any idea how much light is required
Dr. Novak - thanks for this honest review. I appreciate it. I have been contemplating purchasing these lights for 6 mos but due to the price increase held off. Glad I did. Have you seen any other comparable lights around the same price point?
In the video, I do show a Silver can light that competitively price but once again, people are complaining about them not working after short period of time. Once again, the lights come from China. Once again, it looks like if you want a good light with good customer service, you have to buy a Kessel or make one yourself out of the available lightbulbs that are at the hardware store.
thanks Dr Novak. I am using your DIY lighting solution now for years. I think its time for me to change the LED's on it cause I am not getting black beard algae on some of the plants (not on any rocks or driftwood, nor on the glass). all chemical parameters check out perfectly. I DO have sand however, now I am bummed that I just did not put laterite on top of the plenum. I do have BCB's in both cannister filters. I did have the lights on 12 hrs a day, I have cut back to 8 hours to see if this helps. Thanks for telling it like it is!!!!!
@@jimlubeskie4312 I'm getting the same problem with my goldfish aquarium and it's not your lighting that is giving you the problem it is the sand that is giving you the problems.
I cannot break the tank down again, I just did that 6 weeks ago to put the plenum in with sand on top, would I be able to vacuum out as much sand as I can and retrofit with laterite? I have enough Seachem Flourite on hand to do that
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Dr Novak - I had been running an experiment for months 10 gal tank only laterite with single tube plenum - NO other filters at all. Not one piece of algae of any kind. I took the sand out of my 50 gal and retrofitted with laterite on top of the plenum. Hopefully that will set things back on track. Thanks for the advice
Thank you Dr Novak , I most certainly won't be buying those lights. Please could you do a video of when co2 and / or fertilisers and / or iron should be used in one's planted fish aquarium , if you have time. Thank you bye from a very chilly England 🐡🐠🐟🐚❄🌬🌨🌧
It’s almost like the saying you get what you pay for although you paid a decent price smh, sometimes spending a little more upfront seems to cause less headaches
Here's the way I look at it, at any time anything we buy can break, but we just want to make sure that people honor their warranties as stated. But when they ignore you and pretend you don't even exist after you buy the product, then they shouldn't be in business.
Even consumer reports does not use the products for a while before they give a review. In fact, nobody really uses products for an extended period of time, and then gives a review on them. If you happen to notice, it could be a matter of just a few weeks or a month or two.
Really sorry to hear that. Mine only lasted a few months also. Amazon should remove that fender from their site completely. For now on, I'll either make my own lights, or I will buy only Kessel lights and pay the piper.
Dang Dr. I got four of those, so far not having any problems. I was going to order at least two more and did receive an offer to buy refurbished lights at 50% off. I think I will hold off for now.
Like I said, the lights look well-built, so that part I'm happy with. But if their customer service is to ignore the people who buy their products, then I know I cannot recommend it. And I have bought over five of those lights so I have a large investment to be worried about.
What a dud, sorry that happened. I agree with you that Amazon should take it off their site. I had something similar happen to me and didn’t get any help from Amazon either. Chinese seller who shorted me and charged my credit card for it.
Mines lasted a couple of years so far. I bought several of the smaller (60s?) when they were a fair bit cheaper than they are now. They all died after 18 months but at the price point they were at the time there was nothing directional like it. I got what I paid for at the price they were, more a pity there isn't an alternative without going much more expensive. (in Aud it was like $45 vs $400 for the small kessil)
That's good to know because I'm going to open one up and see what the problem is. I think I can test it out and find out that they're using cheap LEDs and they will not last very long at all. When they make the LEDs, they test them and those that don't make the cut or sold off to companies that can make cheap and inexpensive lights out of them in China.
I bought a controllable wave maker from China it lasted a year. You get what u pay for, customer service from kessil u are paying for that with price of the light
Yes, I know a few people that have use the Kessil customer service and they said they were very courteous and really did send them programs and help when they needed it.
I hate that you got caught up with something like this. Hopefully you can get somewhere on this issue. I'm glad I got lights from an established brand. I went with Fluvial Aqua-sky lights on my tank and my nephew's tank. His tank is a 24 gallon nano cube. The fans in the hood for the factory lights went out. So, I gutted the hood and mounted a Fluvial Aqua-sky in it. Both lights have been flawless for just over a year now.
Go back in my archive videos. I have aquarium after aquarium, explaining exactly step-by-step, how to make one. The newest one is my Betta aquarium that is 6 gallons and is doing great and not had one bit of problem/s since the day I set it up.
I had three of these. One of them went out after about two months. The other two are still working fine after about a year.
I just return P30 to them. The screw cover came out easily and thus having safety concern.
Was about to try Asta 120. But seeing this video, I decided not to proceed. Thanks. :)
Good for you; stay away from those Chinese products that don't back up what they sell.
Customer service is everything. I have a Ego lawn mower. The fast charger wasn't working. I gave them a call, a few questions and a new free one was on the way to me. A week later i decided to open up the original one. It suffered just a blown fuse and I now have two chargers, (don't tell Ego). I have the weaker Asta aquarium light and that's been a champ for about two years so far, however recently I switched back to a Nicrew light , so all three of my tanks run a Nicrew with good plant growth.
At any time, something can break I do understand that, so I'm not upset about it breaking. What I'm upset about is they blow you off as you don't even exist after you have bought several of their products.
Hey Dr. Novak, love your videos and very informative for us hobbyists. I've recently built and installed a plenum and made a few bcb bags. Also, I've bought the Fzone canister canister filter and is up and running as well. I've been trying to find a way to contact you for a couple weeks now to ask you a few questions, send a couple pictures and for a little guidance for my system. Anyways, keep up the great work. You truly are making a difference for us.
Thanks in advance, IA.
Sounds great!
drklnovak@gmail.com
This has been my experience with most products made by Chinese manufacturers selling on Amazon. It has gotten to the point, where I only buy from recognized brand name products, from companies that have been established for a long time. I also make sure it is sold either by the manufacturer themselves or Amazon, to avoid refurbish or returned goods.
Unfortunately even if Amazon removes this company, within a few days, Asta (or whoever the company who makes the light) will start a new seller account and just rename the light and relist them.
100% correct on all points
This is exactly one of the reasons I won't buy things on Amazon that aren't tried and true. Thanks Dr.!
The problem is most of the reviews could be paid for or made up reviews so now sellers have become very smart and how to sell their products to unsuspected buyers.
I had one of these lights go out. I tossed my wiggies on the board and couldnt figure it out. Im guessing a fuse blew but couldnt see anything wrong with it. I know nothing about electronics but definitely will start learning more about it. Seems neat
Good Lord you are a wealth of information. Not being sarcastic, which I am frequently hahaha, you really are someone I love tunning in to for the real skinny. Thanks Dr N!
Wow, thank you!
Well, I was about to buy some but am now looking elsewhere. Thank you
Glad I could help. They have no customer service and no warranty except for the 90 day warranty that you get from Amazon.
Love your videos Dr Novak. I noticed that these lights don't have a DC power brick like some other aquarium lights so these may be running on AC power only. Do you have any thoughts on safety on these lights compared to other aquarium lights running on DC?
They're probably design much like your LED lightbulbs that you use. However, I do have the brand new one that they came out with and it has an Ac to DC converter and it gets way too hot like 130°F.
I'm having the same problem with a company called Zetlight. Both sides are telling me to contact the other instead of asking for proof of purchase or a picture/video of the light malfunctioning, which would allow me to get a refund or replacement.
You're wild, I've had 3 of these for years
I bought a couple from Amazon Australia a few months ago so will be interested to find out how long they last. They are on my 500ltr about 8-10 hr per day at minimum light output.
Thanks for sharing this information about the Asta 120 led lights. I was about to order two of them. 😅
Glad I could help!
Dr. Novak, do you know a good alternative led light for good plant growth? That’s also affordable? I have found the Chihiros WRGB II Pro 120 cm LED light (120-140 cm, 138 W, 11170 lm) from “green aqua. The price looks fair for what i read from the specs. But i don’t know if the luminous output is strong enough for plants to photosynthesis. Greetings from the Netherlands.
So sorry to see this update as I just bought and installed two of these. I looked on the installation sheet I received and there is contact information. I will try share it here if you like, let me know.
I can vouch that these lights are a lot brighter than the Kessil 160AW light is unfortunately, their customer support is terrible.
Fingers crossed my lights have no issues. I am running a low tech set up, using lower level of light. Hoping that will be in my favor. Thank you for the informative videos!
@@lindaj I hope so because I just bought a Kessil 160 and it is nowhere near as bright as the Asta 120. Somebody on my channel, gave me the address of the company that makes the lights and I have written to them with zero response coming back from them on their guarantee. The only guarantee they seem to want to warrant is the 90 day guarantee that Amazon gives on their products so you can return them within that timeframe. I think it's still a very good light for the price. Unfortunately, the company is a lousy, and shouldn't be in business.
Thank you for this information about this light.
You are so welcome
What lights do u recommend these days for aquarium of a meter long
Best light for me is Chihiros WRGB 2 been running for 2years now. Best for High tech plants and also for easy and low light plants.
I bought mine on February 7th and the bulb quit working 2 weeks ago, fan still works though like yours
Good to hear. Basically they only cover the light for 90 days and that's because Amazon covers products for 90 days. I've tried to contact the company through Email to no avail have they contacted me back.. So if your light is it within the 90 day guidelines of Amazon, then you can send it back or they will give you a refund for the product. But don't expect anything from the manufacture. In fact, I would call Amazon and complain, the more complaints they get then they may call the manufacture off of Amazon.
I complained about it to them… but it is 9 months old so I’m out. But it was a great light hands down for the money
I have the same problem!!!! Two of these!!!!!
Sir I request you please make a video related to lighting requirements of aquatic plants I think its much hyped kindly make us understand lighting needs of aquatic plants so we can grow dense plants without algae please I sincerely request you you are the only one whom we can trust if you see other UA-cam videos it’s absolutely confusing and not adequate 🙏🙏🙏
To be honest with you, I have made a few lighting videos, and they are in the my archives.
Sir I have seen those videos and they are very helpful based on that I have built a lighting system which has been working absolutely fine better than any lights out there and it’s not rgb all the videos out there don’t give any idea how much light is required
Many times the wires are badly connected , could be that
Dr. Novak - thanks for this honest review. I appreciate it. I have been contemplating purchasing these lights for 6 mos but due to the price increase held off. Glad I did. Have you seen any other comparable lights around the same price point?
In the video, I do show a Silver can light that competitively price but once again, people are complaining about them not working after short period of time. Once again, the lights come from China. Once again, it looks like if you want a good light with good customer service, you have to buy a Kessel or make one yourself out of the available lightbulbs that are at the hardware store.
thanks Dr Novak. I am using your DIY lighting solution now for years. I think its time for me to change the LED's on it cause I am not getting black beard algae on some of the plants (not on any rocks or driftwood, nor on the glass). all chemical parameters check out perfectly. I DO have sand however, now I am bummed that I just did not put laterite on top of the plenum. I do have BCB's in both cannister filters. I did have the lights on 12 hrs a day, I have cut back to 8 hours to see if this helps. Thanks for telling it like it is!!!!!
@@jimlubeskie4312 I'm getting the same problem with my goldfish aquarium and it's not your lighting that is giving you the problem it is the sand that is giving you the problems.
I cannot break the tank down again, I just did that 6 weeks ago to put the plenum in with sand on top, would I be able to vacuum out as much sand as I can and retrofit with laterite? I have enough Seachem Flourite on hand to do that
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Dr Novak - I had been running an experiment for months 10 gal tank only laterite with single tube plenum - NO other filters at all. Not one piece of algae of any kind. I took the sand out of my 50 gal and retrofitted with laterite on top of the plenum. Hopefully that will set things back on track. Thanks for the advice
Thank you Dr Novak , I most certainly won't be buying those lights. Please could you do a video of when co2 and / or fertilisers and / or iron should be used in one's planted fish aquarium , if you have time. Thank you bye from a very chilly England 🐡🐠🐟🐚❄🌬🌨🌧
It’s almost like the saying you get what you pay for although you paid a decent price smh, sometimes spending a little more upfront seems to cause less headaches
Here's the way I look at it, at any time anything we buy can break, but we just want to make sure that people honor their warranties as stated. But when they ignore you and pretend you don't even exist after you buy the product, then they shouldn't be in business.
that's why you need to use these products for a while before recommending them in my humble opinion
Even consumer reports does not use the products for a while before they give a review. In fact, nobody really uses products for an extended period of time, and then gives a review on them. If you happen to notice, it could be a matter of just a few weeks or a month or two.
People always said you pay what you get
My asta 120 only lasted 5 month. Amazon was no help.
Really sorry to hear that. Mine only lasted a few months also. Amazon should remove that fender from their site completely. For now on, I'll either make my own lights, or I will buy only Kessel lights and pay the piper.
Dang Dr. I got four of those, so far not having any problems. I was going to order at least two more and did receive an offer to buy refurbished lights at 50% off. I think I will hold off for now.
Like I said, the lights look well-built, so that part I'm happy with. But if their customer service is to ignore the people who buy their products, then I know I cannot recommend it. And I have bought over five of those lights so I have a large investment to be worried about.
What a dud, sorry that happened. I agree with you that Amazon should take it off their site. I had something similar happen to me and didn’t get any help from Amazon either. Chinese seller who shorted me and charged my credit card for it.
Mines lasted a couple of years so far. I bought several of the smaller (60s?) when they were a fair bit cheaper than they are now. They all died after 18 months but at the price point they were at the time there was nothing directional like it. I got what I paid for at the price they were, more a pity there isn't an alternative without going much more expensive. (in Aud it was like $45 vs $400 for the small kessil)
That's good to know because I'm going to open one up and see what the problem is. I think I can test it out and find out that they're using cheap LEDs and they will not last very long at all. When they make the LEDs, they test them and those that don't make the cut or sold off to companies that can make cheap and inexpensive lights out of them in China.
I bought a controllable wave maker from China it lasted a year. You get what u pay for, customer service from kessil u are paying for that with price of the light
Yes, I know a few people that have use the Kessil customer service and they said they were very courteous and really did send them programs and help when they needed it.
I bought four none lasted a year.
I bought 5 , yes 5, and now I have buyers remorse. The light is far brighter than a Kessil 160 is, so I hope the last 4 last for years to come.
I hate that you got caught up with something like this. Hopefully you can get somewhere on this issue.
I'm glad I got lights from an established brand. I went with Fluvial Aqua-sky lights on my tank and my nephew's tank. His tank is a 24 gallon nano cube. The fans in the hood for the factory lights went out. So, I gutted the hood and mounted a Fluvial Aqua-sky in it.
Both lights have been flawless for just over a year now.
Thanks!
Welp, that’s Chinese crap for ya! Gotta buy American Made! Thanks for the review and sharing your experience.
Go back in my archive videos. I have aquarium after aquarium, explaining exactly step-by-step, how to make one. The newest one is my Betta aquarium that is 6 gallons and is doing great and not had one bit of problem/s since the day I set it up.
Just buy a new one and then return it but put this broken one back in the box. Boom, problem solved.
It’s a crap shoot brother, just hope I rolled a 7
tx i just save 100 usd
It is a Chinese company. Like i said before about this light Kessil is a better value.
Thank you for the review. Won't be purchasing these.