Ebay 250W MH's with Actinics & LED's anyone tried this?

Piscez · #1 01-29-2009, 04:59 PM

Hi Guys, Pardon my newbness but has anyone tried this? Or opinions? I'm aware of the usual ebay issues, but this sounds okay and reading feedback from the people who bought them from this seller all seem to be happy with their purchase, I'm just wondering if any lighting experts see any issues? Thanks and hello!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130284075759

Brief bio, currently have a 33gal SW but already looking to upgrade to a 72-90Gal with sump, regards

First post

saltynuts · #2 01-29-2009, 05:24 PM

some stuff you can get good deals on.
but watch shipping some guys charge $104.00 for shipping.
i have got pumps and bulbs off e-bay all was good for me.
JUST WATCH SHIPPING COST.
look at some of the other lights on ebay now some have good shipping cost
others, like i said $104.00 for shipping!

Whatigot · #3 01-29-2009, 05:34 PM

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/for/1012183345.html

Just saw this on craigslist and thought of you.
Nice tank, good price.

Read up on some of those ebay fixtures, there have been reports of some of them catching fire...

I was going to order off of ebay, but decided to stick with the tried tested and true after doing some research

xtreme · #4 01-29-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed holland

some stuff you can get good deals on.
but watch shipping some guys charge $104.00 for shipping.
i have got pumps and bulbs off e-bay all was good for me.
JUST WATCH SHIPPING COST.
look at some of the other lights on ebay now some have good shipping cost
others, like i said $104.00 for shipping!

If you order from the states and can get them to ship USPS it will save you a ton in brokerage fees that UPS and FedEx will charge. For the light you will probably have to go with UPS though, so expect a brokerage charge when it gets to your door. Also if you have a lot of spare time on your hands there is a ridiculously large thread on RC about these lights. Search Odyssea there to find the thread. I have the 6' version and thought it was a great deal when I first got it but that was before I had seen any other MH to compare it to. I have since replaced all 3 ballasts and lamps and it is now a good light. Only thing left to upgrade is reflectors. Depending on the types of corals you want to keep it may be enough for you but I would say it is closer to the brightness of a 150w than the stated 250w. For softies and LPS it will do the job but if you plan on keeping SPS they will do much better under a brighter light. For the amount of money I have put into the light I almost could have bought something of better quality from the start. Overall though it is a decent looking fixture, and not that bad for the price. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

mseepman · #5 01-29-2009, 05:50 PM

Yeah, this is an Odyssea fixture. As Xtreme said, there is a HUGE thread on RC about this fixture. Overall people are quite happy. At the price you see listed there, you really are getting a good deal. People on RC who dealt with that Ebay vendor were quite happy with the service if something went wrong. It will work fine in the beginning but like all of us Reefers, we like to move up in the world. When that happens, be prepared to spend $280 on a new Galaxy Dual ballast from J&L which will significantly boost the light from these MH fixtures. If you watch on here I'm sure you will find a good deal on a used ballast before then.

Make sure you get details on the shipping though.

fencer · #6 01-29-2009, 06:36 PM

The ebay seller is good. I have a 24' model and woirks fine. Looks like he has changesd his price a bit and switched to USPS as a delivery agent. I don't like the bulbs he ships with the light though...kinda yellow.

Ron99 · #7 01-29-2009, 06:41 PM

You might also check out fishneedit.com. I picked up the 2 foot 4 bulb T5 fixture and I think it is pretty good for the money. It's certainly more than enough light for my 10 gallon nano reef. I think people are generally happy with the fishneedit lights.

Piscez · #8 01-29-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks guys for all the great info. I do have a lead on a 6x T5 HO set up locally but thought the Ebay one would work better having the MH's. I'm not concerned about shipping as I use a shipping office in Point Roberts so I could take advantage of the free shipping and bring it over the boarder myself, I've bought tons of things this way including tires, wheels etc. I was more concerned over the quality of product. Does anyone have a link to the thread on RC ( I'm guessing it stands Reef Central) I'm not a member of that so I'll search the manual way

Whatigot thanks for the link, I saw it this morning actually as I've been keeping a close eye out. I'm not so keen on the wood look. I may have a tentative deal on a 72 bow that is already drilled with sump but needs a light so that's why I'm looking into this now. Being such a newb I'm not even sure what corals I'd like to grow at this stage as I haven't really become familiar with the LPS & SPS thing, my 33 is just a fowlr at present but when I find a larger 72-90gal I'd like to add a bit of colour with corals.

Whatigot · #9 01-29-2009, 06:49 PM

watch some of those drilled 72s, hey can lose a lot of real estate to the overflow.
I made the decision to go undrilled on mine, just to give me more room inside the tank.

I have never had a flood due to my overflow, though you have to me sure the flow rate of your return and the overflow in question are a match, too slow and you'll get bubbles building up and that could be wet...

Just something to consider as long as you haven't bought yet.

xtreme · #10 01-29-2009, 06:51 PM

This should get you to the start of the thread. Like I said, its huge and there is a ton of info there on them.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1