Local shops for retrofit equipment...??

[ShelbyJK500]

Looking for retrofit (T5) equipment to help button up my build. I'd rather not order and pay shipping. I FINALLY found 18ga solid strand at Radio Shack of all places!! Could not believe HD, Lowes, Ace, etc etc...didn't have that stuff! They also have all the way down to T8 ballasts but don't sell T5's even though they sell the bulbs! WTH!!

Anyhow, anyone know of local businesses that actually carry this type of equipment?

 

[othercents]

Keep in mind that many online vendors give free shipping and if you purchase out of state it is typically tax free. Even if you do have to pay for shipping sometimes the shipping costs are equivalent to the tax you would have normally paid. I purchase almost all my computer equipment from a vendor that is out of state vs MicroCenter because of the free tax and free shipping I get along with the lower rates.

However locally there are a few places down South Denver I have seen retrofit kits or lighting systems. I believe Todd's Tropical Fish carries a good supply and even carries some used equipment. I have also seen some supply over at Neptunes and Reef & Pond. There will be varied level of cost and at one of the establishments expect to pay 2X more than internet pricing. I can't speak for the rest of the vendors in town, but I'm certain there are many others that carry the supplies you need.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

othercents...thanks for the input!! The stuff I'm looking to purchase aren't high price items so tax is not too much of an issue. I can't find any online vendors that have free shipping on anything less than $50 purchase totals at best, and typically much higher. Time factor also has me leaning toward local if possible. I can't stand the headaches of shipping issues when you're trying to finish up a project! Murphy's law, lost in the mail or delayed because of some natural disaster.

 

[projectx]

I know you can get the endcaps at Aquamart. Another option you could have don was get the Electricians wire from HD or Lowes and stripped off the black insulation and pull out the 3 strands from it.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

I know you can get the endcaps at Aquamart. Another option you could have don was get the Electricians wire from HD or Lowes and stripped off the black insulation and pull out the 3 strands from it.

Cool...thanks for the heads up! At the moment im only looking for one, possibly two, T5 HO ballasts. OR a cheap IC 660 wiring harness. I considered doing the three stranded wire. I wanted the higher grade stuff that is oil/gas resistent. Wound up finally finding it at Radio Shack.

 

[dv3]

Keep in mind that many online vendors give free shipping and if you purchase out of state it is typically tax free.

from what i understand you are still responsible for tax even if they don't charge you as they should ....
"If you are in Colorado and purchase goods
over the Internet, you will owe sales tax on the
purchase if buying from a seller that is also located
in Colorado. If you are buying from a
vendor not located in Colorado, you will probably
not pay sales tax to the seller, but will pay
state and possibly a special district use tax
directly to the state of Colorado on form DR
0252, “Consumer Use Tax Return,” found at
www.taxcolorado.com."

 

[projectx]

How are they going to inforce that?

 

[dv3]

How are they going to inforce that?

just making sure everyone is properly informed ....i know i will be running down to get form dr0252 so i can pay my taxes....lol

 

[projectx]

yea grab me one too, I need more scratch paper lol

 

[dv3]

i believe amazon threatened to quit selling here because of that law but never heard anything more of it

 

[Zooid]

I FINALLY found 18ga solid strand at Radio Shack of all places!! Could not believe HD, Lowes, Ace, etc etc...didn't have that stuff!

You should have asked for some wire in a thread. I can get my hands on 18ga wire that is soldered along its entire length. The only problem is that the lengths I have are about 5 feet or so long. I use this stuff for DIY LED soldering.