Anyone using these lights?

moebiius said:
so...what's the warranty again?
was it 20 feet or 20 seconds which ever comes first?

I'll tell you guys a little horror story...especially for those that live close to 99 you know who and where to get the Jebo crap. They're not UL listed.....not that I know of anyhow, they're based out in Chine, lets just say if there was a mishap and the light unit blows up....burns out while still plugged in, you're at work, don't know nothing about nothing, this light system ruins your home, who will pay for it? like those people are gonna pay for what ever happens....doesn't that mean that when you pay more for certain US brand lights, they're UL listed, insured so that if there were anything to happen they would send a claims person out to make you feel accomodated for your losses and be taken care of mentally, emotionally, and most importantly, financially?

Just my 2 cents, take it for what its worth...personally, I'm part Chinese, I really don't care for Chinese made electronics if you know what I mean especially if the warranty would be 30 days from the picking order.....thats just stupid, it means that they know what their products are worth....not much and they're not really willing to stand behind what they manufacture, and before anyone steps up and asks me if I've ever used their products, the answer is yes, I've use the skimmers, lighting, UV's, and tanks....

Would you tell me a company out there that would cover your fire damages in case of a failure? I would like to know of such company that will make such a claim. You mean to tell me that if I bought a fixture from Orbit or Coralife that if in case of a fire and my house burns down, they will happily cover all damages to my home? Are you kidding me?!?!?
 
That is why I have renters insurance. You can't expect them to pay. That would be like if your car were to catch on fire, the manufacturer doesnt pay, your auto insurance does.
 
If your car catches on fire due to faulty manufacturing the maker will be paying for it. Ask GM about it. Same for electrical products. If a properly installed appliance causes a fire the manufacture can be liable if it can be shown they used sub standard parts or improper manufacturing methods. All the UL listing really means is the manufacturer had enough confidence in the quality of their product to have it tested to show it conforms to accepted standards for quality of materials and workmanship.
 
Let us know what luck you have returning the fixture. I was just about to buy one until I heard this.

Oh yeah, thats a dissapointment.... no timer and your t5 doesnt work!
 
I assume that if you're a huge company like ESU (Coralife) or if it be Sunlight Supply, your products will be insured and so will the damages to your personal belongings surrounding the incident....thats why part of the reason they charge more....I've had an incident with Coralife burning out and pretty much ruin my walls and tank...they replaced everything that was needed and paid for the damages. They have claims personel or claims adjusters, whahave you call them.....come out to my home and take pictures and send you a check....

my 2 cents.....
 
I had a friend pick up a ballast at aquatraders for me with built in timers so I can do dust/dawn effect. They told me to trade in my original ballast + 20 bucks and they will replace it with one with a timer. Once I get it and have everything going well, ill post pics.
 
I mean come out to your home and send a check to you afterwards.....not come to my home and send you guys a check....lol
 
Hi, has anyone successfully modded the 48" MH fixture to upgrade the NO T5 ballasts to an HO T5 ballast?

I'm thinking of putting an Icecap 660 or Triad in the Odyssea remote ballast ... Will I be able to use the existing wiring/endcaps/reflectors that are in there for the NO T5s?

(Yes I realize the reflectors in the Odyssea suck. I might consider putting only a single T5 in each of the 36" slots.)

Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks Grim for the advice! I'm going to seriously consider upgrading to an Icecap.

For those considering these lights, I've had them for a week now, here are my thoughts:

1) The fixture is pretty decently made. It's heavy and everything is nice powder coated metal. The legs are a little flimsy, but they work.

2) The metal halide bulbs that the unit came with are so-so. IMHO, they're too blue. In fact, I'm about to order a pairt of Phoenix 14ks and keep the stock bulbs for backups.

3) The T5 bulbs that came with the fixture aren't that great. They're not really actiniics, more like fluorescent bulbs with blue filters on them. I'm very seriously looking at modding this thing with an Icecap 660 and running either 2 or 4 39w HO T5s instead. With the stock bulbs, I think the tank looks better with the T5s off. With them on, it's way way too blue.

4) The fans in the unit are loud. They're also not that well secured inside the hood. They're attached to a plastic plate which slides onto very shallow rails. I will prob end up supergluing them in place after I mod them with a speed control switch to slow them down a tough. Right now they sound like little jet engines.

5) The fixture does not get very hot. There are nice metal grates right above each of the MHs which allow the fans to pull cool air over them.

6) The ballast has a significant hum/buzz. It's definitely audible from 6 feet away. When I place it inside my stand, I don't notice it much over the rest of the sounds of the sump, though. (The sound is very similar to what my PFO 175w retrofit makes as well, so it's prob just standard magnetic ballast buzz.)

7) I picked the unit up in person at Aquatraders. They gave me the web price, although I had to pay the $20 shipping charge. They opened and tested the whole thing before selling it to me. (They were the ones that suggested testing them, I didn't ask to do so.) Elvis was very nice, very friendly and helpful. Picking up in the store, was a big plus for me since I knew I could work with them if something went wrong.

Overall, I think the lights are a decent choice for someone on a budget who is willing to fiddle/DIY the shortcomings. I really like the way it looks and so far I haven't had any problems.

If I were to do it again, I might consider a different fixture, only because I think 250w HQIs would be better on my 24" high 72 gallon bowfront.

(If Odyssea made a 250x2 version, however, I'd purchase that.)

At about half of what you'd pay for a comparable hood, this fixture is worth it for someone with a little DIY skill and patience. (It's also probably fine stock for people who aren't super anal about the bulb quality.)
 
Even if the T5 fixtures were HO they do not use the individual parabolic reflectors. That is kind of like ordering a Farrari with motorcycle tires on it. Lots of power and handling ability with no way to utilize it.
 
You think you can add individual reflectors on like the ones sold on websites? Or what about the t5 bulbs with the build in reflectors? Anyone know if there is room to add in fans?
 
Typically the lamps are crammed too close together to add a reflector. You need a minimum or 2 1/4 inches per lamp. Not aware of a T5 with built in reflector.
 
Just wanted to say my 20K stock bulb was not blue at all and switched to the Pheonix 150W 14K bulb and it has a nice blue.
 
Sounds like the stock bulbs are sort of all over the map. Mine are certainly bluer than the 14k hamiltons I previously used on my 175 PFO.

Can't wait for the new bulbs to come in. This is a great thread, thanks everyone for the help.
 
does anyone know if the mounting legs are adjustable? i have a 29g and i am looking for cheap lighting, the problem is my tank is 30" long, and the only t5's i can find are 24 or 36 inches long. so my question is, are the legs adjustable for different sizes, say if i got the 36 inch t5 high output? thanks
 
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