Anybody ever tried one of these light fixtures?

[mapleredta]

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-500W-Metal-Halide-System-p/54224.htm">http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-500W-Metal-Halide-System-p/54224.htm</a>
[IMG]http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-Metal-Halide-System-with-T5-HO-p/54231.htm">http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-Metal-Halide-System-with-T5-HO-p/54231.htm</a>
I know the saying you usually get what you pay for but I did a little reading on RC and it appears it's not all that bad of a fixture.

 

[acroholic]

Most folks that buy those, from what I have read, end up replacing the ballasts and the bulbs, which are the main quality issues with these fixtures, besides the not so great looking reflectors, IMO.

So if you take the $200 for the fixture, the $300 for replacement ballasts, and the $160 for replacement bulbs, you are at almost the same price point for two high quality pendants, ballasts, and bulbs.
Dave

 

[mapleredta]

Very true. Back to the drawing board.

 

[dakota9]

Mine was very good! I bought a 250 watt fixture for 79 bucks that lasted over a year, it was very good while it lasted.

I've read that quality has gotten better on Odyssea brand in recent years

 

[rbredding]

there's a lot to be said for being able to purchase TWO for the price of a more expensive light system..

get ^^ now and start saving for the "upgrade" a year or more down the road...

 

[acroholic]

Dakota9;395993 wrote: Mine was very good! I bought a 250 watt fixture for 79 bucks that lasted over a year, it was very good while it lasted.

I've read that quality has gotten better on Odyssea brand in recent years

I've never owned the brand, but have read many threads on the brand. After owning a Current USA Outer Orbit Extreme DE Halide (2 x 250) with those type reflectors, I would stay away from them because of the reflectors just as much as anything else. They have little spread, and have a huge spotlight effect, with large PAR dieoff, basically anywhere except right under the light.

I would wait until I could buy reflectors like Lumen Brights or Lumenmax or similar. The possibilities with separate components is light years ahead of these all in one units, IMO. Two LB pendants in place of the Current USA product was like night and day in terms of spread, par and even heat transfer to the water.
Dave

 

[skriz]

They are garbage. The ballasts do not push what they should; so, their 250w ballast doesn't push 250 watts, thus underpowering the bulb. Their wiring is shoddy; you have to re-solder all of the connections to ensure you won't have a fire.

As Dave said, you're better off with a good fixture to being with.

 

[fish scales2]

A google search of "odyssea mh catching fire" came up with many hits. I have heard of many stories of the MH fixtures catching fire. There are plenty of used fixtures around that can be purchased for little money.

 

[acroholic]

Fish Scales2;396005 wrote: There are plenty of used fixtures around that can be purchased for little money.

Great point. If you keep an eye on the ARC FS forum you can find the high end lights much cheaper than new.

 

[smoothie]

tnyga has one I think he is trading or selling. As stated the ballasts do not drive the bulbs as they should. The fixture he has has the 250w ballasts for a 175w setup because that is exactly what the 250 ballasts put out. 175w

 

[schwaggs]

I never tried the MH versions but bought several HO T5 fixtures for my fuge and holding tanks. The reflectors and cases are very poor quality, the ballasts are worse and the bulbs (if they make it to your house in one piece) are garbage. A coulple developed fried bulb connectors. I have since had to replace every single one as the ballasts have all died. The reflector/cases are such bad quality, they are not worth adding a new ballast to them. Do yourself a favor and avoid this cheap brand.