Cheap lighting HQI... to good to be true?

[RuGlu6]

Just ordered a new Odyssea 36" 656W Metal Halide System Advance Plus 36" 2x250w 15k DE +4 T5 actinics+ 6(!) dual LED+ 2 cooling fans, all external ballasts (HQI & T5's) fixture.
Will post a review when it arrives.
$269 is a good deal on brand new light with HQI ballasts from the same OEM as the Icecaps.

[ensquire]

That is a good deal. I am happy with my fixture and will be looking at a new one for my next tank.
What is in your tank?
I'm thinking of the 36" fixture with the single MH fixture for a mostly softie tank.
Will be waiting for your review.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by ensquire

That is a good deal. I am happy with my fixture and will be looking at a new one for my next tank.
What is in your tank?
I'm thinking of the 36" fixture with the single MH fixture for a mostly softie tank.
Will be waiting for your review.

Keep in mind that extendable fixture will sag down slightly especially when extended, that is the reason why (i think) they are changing to a regular legs.

My tank is 36" long SPS dominated 65 Gal, atm my lighting is 6xT5 TEK unit. they have 2x150w Odyssea 36" 456W Metal Halide System Advance Plus as well it will have better spread compare to a single light, however single light will generate less heat.

What i like about these fixtures is that they all have external ballasts HQI & T5 = somewhat less heat, also 2 cooling fans. 4xT5actinics + 6 x dual blue LED's a definite plus. It looks very atractive from the all angles (bulbs and ballasts included, free shipping within USA) however time will tel how this light will perform. For the sake of the learning and to satisfy curiosity i will run 15K bulbs and actinics that come with the fixture to see how my SPS will like it. I can always get Phoenix 14k later.

[ensquire]

Im running mine Odyssea-24in-Metal-Halide-with-T5-Extendable-Serie-p/54244.htm as it came from the store. The only thing that I would change would be to put individual reflectors for the lights. Guess that could be a mod, LOL Very happy with it so far
I'll follow along and watch your progress.

[The Grizz]

I changed out all my bulb in both the 48" fixtures I got because the color was crappy. Also had an issue with one of my T5 ballast's, it went up in smoke. I contacted Aquatraders and they are sending me a replacement, hope it gets here soon as it been almost a month since I sent them the fried ballast.

[ensquire]

Hey Greg
What bulbs did you change to ? For my T5s I have a Icecap Actinic and a 14k Deepwater ready to go in and I bought a 10 k, 14k and a 20k DE but just the cheap ones from Ebay. will start playing with them when I decide whats moving where when my tank is ready,

[ensquire]

Double

[The Grizz]

I put in some 15k MH & 12k T5's. Still have to put in my dimmable T5's yet.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by ensquire

Im running mine Odyssea-24in-Metal-Halide-with-T5-Extendable-Serie-p/54244.htm as it came from the store. The only thing that I would change would be to put individual reflectors for the lights. Guess that could be a mod, LOL Very happy with it so far
I'll follow along and watch your progress.

They have a new model line now that comes with individual reflectors.
I will post my opinion when fixture arrives.

http://www.aquatraders.com/PhotoGall...&PhotoNumber=3

[The Grizz]

I hope they have updated the T5 ballast as both of mine fried. First on over a month ago, sent it back to them on May 5 & just received the replacement yesterday. As my tank is 8' long there was no sence running just ons fixture with T5 so I shut it down, when I got the new one yesterday I plugged them both back in and with in a few hours the second ballast fried up. I am not happy about this at all but I think I will either build my own ballast or order 2 of the newer style ballasts.

I say new style because the replacement I received is much smaller & is built different internally. I will post some pics shortly.