Odyssea light question

[Reggae Fish]

On the Odyssea lights, they come with DE 175watt HQI
If I'm not mistaken, they don't make DE in the 175watt. Does this mean I can use 150watt with them?

Thanks!

 

[sirreal63]

Others have with no bulb issues.

 

[Reggae Fish]

I've had numerous people pm me that have them and they all seem to really like them especially the price. and after looking at it from a lot of angles it's hard for me to go with the more expensive lights. I can pick up 2 of these for the price of one of the others. I don't mind using the bulbs they give me and replacing with better down the road. I just didn't want to get caught having to use that brand of bulbs for the life of the fixture. I'm guessing I can use 150 watt with them but wanted to make sure.

 

[sirreal63]

Like all Odyssea products, they are made with chinese knockoff components and the wiring and craftsmanship are spotty at best. I would suggest opening up the fixtures and make sure they are wired safely. A set of PC lights I had had wires barely connected and could have resulted in a nice little shock.

 

[chadscamaro]

I had one that the capacitor caught on fire and filled the store with smoke ! If it hadf been at my house and I wasnt there, I shudder to think of what would have happened !!!!!!!
I have 4 of those fixtures and it only happened to 1,but that was enough to scare me away from buying more. My 2 cents.

 

[Reggae Fish]

Well the most I can afford AFTER tax, shipping, etc... is $400 and that is pushing it. Any suggestions. I need a 48" fixture. I can't do a retro kit.

Thanks for your help!

I currently have odyssea pc's and had another set before with no problems but I'd love to get something else. I just can't justify spending $600 on lights.

 

[chadscamaro]

My opinion is , if you only have 1-2 tanks to buy lights for, just spend the $ on a quality fixture,but I needed numerous fixtures, so I went the cheaper route and it is definatelly the cheaper route in more ways than 1 !!

 

[chadfarmer]

lots of problem with the cheap stuff


what do you need ?

 

[Reggae Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7311181#post7311181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
lots of problem with the cheap stuff


what do you need ?

Yeah, I'm not getting them on some good advice from a few who have not steered me wrong in the past so I trust their advice!

I'm looking for a inexpensive 48" fixture. MH with actinics/t5,etc...
Can't do a retro because of my canopy. It's the plastic oceanic one you said you didn't care for when I first met you. It would be nice to do a retro so I see what you're saying but oh well.

 

[chadfarmer]

the canopy probally will have to go


plastic and heat dont mix well


if i were you i would build a box and do a retro


you chioces are

coralife 48 ich
maristar
hamilton
aquamedic
orbit
Giesemann
pfo
and a few more (cheaper ones)

the problem is all the time they have in these lights and they are proud of there products

if i were you i would also look into the t5s if you want that canopy

 

[geoxman]

I have never had a problem with my unit and they seem to be making them better now. I bought one of the first units that seemed to have all the problems, I guess I am just lucky. I have torn and twisted my unit in every sort of way. First I took out the PC and added VHO then I wanted more MH and cut the unit apart and added a 3rd MH HQi in the middle-seperate electronic ballast. It still turns on and off just like any other unit. If I was going to stay with DE on my new tank I would buy another-but I am going back to SE 175W. I like the spread of the SE much better. There is a guy on sleazebay that has 175W with reflector, ballast and bulb for $105. Use two of those and build a canopy. Good luck and JMHO