Just installed my Odyssea 24" quad T5 light.
- Thread starter Webmanny
- Start date
Webmanny
Active member
Narms72,
I got this one because it was a cheap way to test the T5 theory and not drop $500 away just for a test.
So far, I'm disappointed with the fact that the original lights Were very crappy and the first thing I had to do was drop $80 in new bulbs.
Also, very disappointed by the fact that I can't dim these lights, that I lost the LED shimmer on my tank, these consume a bit more electricity than my LEDs and that I'll have to drop $90 every 6 months on new bulbs.
On the positive side, these lights don't generate as much heat as I thought they would, they come with the built in timer, so far the corals are looking OK and if corals show coloration improvement, it will help me decide what to do with my next DIY light.
Please note that this is only a test and it doesn't mean that I'm giving up on LEDs. This is just to test the theory myself with a tank and corals I'm familiar with and have tracked their progress for months now.
I'm expecting that any noticeable change in color on my corals, I will be able document and demonstrate with pictures.
I will keep you all posted on my test results.
I got this one because it was a cheap way to test the T5 theory and not drop $500 away just for a test.
So far, I'm disappointed with the fact that the original lights Were very crappy and the first thing I had to do was drop $80 in new bulbs.
Also, very disappointed by the fact that I can't dim these lights, that I lost the LED shimmer on my tank, these consume a bit more electricity than my LEDs and that I'll have to drop $90 every 6 months on new bulbs.
On the positive side, these lights don't generate as much heat as I thought they would, they come with the built in timer, so far the corals are looking OK and if corals show coloration improvement, it will help me decide what to do with my next DIY light.
Please note that this is only a test and it doesn't mean that I'm giving up on LEDs. This is just to test the theory myself with a tank and corals I'm familiar with and have tracked their progress for months now.
I'm expecting that any noticeable change in color on my corals, I will be able document and demonstrate with pictures.
I will keep you all posted on my test results.
TampaSnooker
Active member
They ship with lousy bulbs - you've learned that but you are likely still far ahead in cost versus buying a higher end unit. I've bought 2-3 of these units over the years. One arrived with the bulb box bent at 45 degrees. The company told me that the bulbs were included with purchase but were a free add on. No replacement. Oh well - as you discovered they are garbage bulbs anyway.
Down the line, just be careful at bulb replacement time. Assuming the same construction, the bulb clips and end caps will get brittle and the wires are not well fixed in the end caps. Do keep that in mind as the plastics will age quickly. Sounds like you were testing the waters with T5, so if you like the lighting, you aren't too heavily invested if you decide on an upgrade later. Do upgrade all the bulbs though if you want a fair comparison of what T5s are capable of. You won't get a good representation with the included bulbs.
Down the line, just be careful at bulb replacement time. Assuming the same construction, the bulb clips and end caps will get brittle and the wires are not well fixed in the end caps. Do keep that in mind as the plastics will age quickly. Sounds like you were testing the waters with T5, so if you like the lighting, you aren't too heavily invested if you decide on an upgrade later. Do upgrade all the bulbs though if you want a fair comparison of what T5s are capable of. You won't get a good representation with the included bulbs.
