Odyssea 175w Halide (2) 24 actinics ??

[TONY DELBRIDGE]

I currently have a 24 gallon JBJ nano. I have a 70 watt Sunpod MH which my corals look much nicer and the tank runs cooler than the stock PC's. I want the option to run actinics only to really show off my zoos. For around $260 thie Odyssea looks like a great deal vs the Corallife's same set up for almost twice as much.
I have read a few problems with the ballasts, but have seen the same problems with other brands. I guess all companies have issues such as the JBJ nano's cracking problem and the Aquapods shocking issue. I have had the JBJ for 2 years now with no problems. My tank is really growing and looking great. Can anyone reccomend a light fixture for this small tank which has Actinics, MH and moonlights?

 

[beashay]

odyssea

odyssea

Heres a little of my experience, bought odyssea compact saw that I could save a hundred going that route. Less than a month later a ballast blows out, I ordered a new ballast and the first time I received the wrong one. After taking the thing.. completely apart because it is not user friendly at all, I notice that the ballast inside are not even ul listed. After seeing that and reading some horror stories about that brand setting things on fire I broke down shelled out another two hundred dollars and bought coralife compacts. Bite the bullet spend a little extra you will be glad you did in the long run. Coralife is very user friendly with easy access to replacing fans or ballast. I couldnt be happier with mine and as for my odyssea its still apart laying on the floor, I wouldnt use it if I had to, not worth the risk of burning down the house. Just my experience but let me add one more thing, I got my boss into this as I was getting into saltwater. He also bought the same odyssea that I did and his went out in two weeks after he got his. Also when you have problems these people are not easy to get a hold of.

 

[TONY DELBRIDGE]

yep, I have heard the negative feedback on the ballasts on the Odyessea and the quality control issues. My LFS stated all these lights are made in China and the ballasts on the Current or the Coralife can be just as present. I see where now Odyessea has a new Electronic version with a 250 watt MH. This will be too much light for my 24 nano. I suspect the new version may have the same problem with the ballast also. Could the new models/versions have fixed the ballast problem? I would hate to loose my zoo collection from too much light. They are really starting to multiply since I went from the stock PC's to a Sunpod 70 watt MH. I am looking at the Current Orbit and the Coralife units which each have a 150 watt MH. They are around $200 more, but I suppose you cannot put a price on possibly burning down the house. Does anyone have a preference on the Current vs the Coralife? I suppose I could get more light by changing to a 150 watt bulb and changing the ballast too. Can this be done? I really want the option to run actinics only in order to view my zoos in a different light. They look awesome with just the moon lights, but the close up soon after the lights go out.

 

[nashorn]

I must be lucky since I had my setup for the last 2 years without a problem. Ballast seem fine so far but the fans may need replacing soon. The light fixture is nice looking and very easy to change bulbs. I hear of people who purchased the lights and replaced the ballast with other brands. Here a picture of what I have in my tank.

 

[KathyC]

Wow!!
The color in your tank is incredible Nashorn!!!

 

[kiran523]

Same thing for me. I've been using their 175watt MH with 2 x 65 CF's and 4 moonlights (Version 4) for over 5 months now and never had a problem. I'm also using a Odyssea moonlight strip at night. I guess I was lucky as well. Oh btw Nashorn, amazing tank you have there.

 

[navy guy]

Same here with the 2 x 175MH and 2 x 65 Odyssea. Had mine for about 6 months with no problems yet. Actually posted earlier this evening myself in the lighting and filtration forum asking about the Odyssea bad name. I've seen different ratings for their various equipment- some of it good and some bad.

 

[FLricordia]

I got the newest 20" version bout 2-3 months ago. It is 250wt 20000k MH electronic ballast, 2x24wt actinics, 2 moon, 2 built in fans. Paid $169 shipped on ebay. Would buy it again. Runs very cool with fans, has separate power cords for each function and looks good hanging with the included pendant attatchments.
Don't think the 175wt is electronic ballast. I have the 250wt over 20 cube and hung bout 12" from water's surface. I ordered a 14000k though as the 20000k is very blue.

 

[Jasonincuritiba]

You get what you pay for, I'd wait and save for a quality fixture like those from Aquamedic

 

[TONY DELBRIDGE]

Thanks for the input !! I decided to go with the new Current Outer Orbit fixture with a 150 MH, along with (2) spectrums of T5 actinics, and 6 white and 6 blue moonlights. I figured the T5's would run a little cooler than the PC's on the standard Current Outer orbits and the Coralife unit. I have seen the coralife's and they are NICE. Hard decision ! I really wanted a blue moonlight which swayed me to the Coralife. The new Current has the 6 white and 6 blue moonlights which I currently have on my Sunpod unit. I almost went with the Odyssea new 250 watt, but I thought this would be too much for a 24 gallon especially mounted to the tank. You can't beat the price, but I was a little hesitant on the safety issues if present. I will get in on Thursday just in time for a new $200 zoo shipment. Just in time for Christmas !! I must have been GOOD this year ! I will let you know how it looks !