odyssea MH fixture review... new electronic version

[jmc74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11407518#post11407518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flasher1
I read through about 15 pages from the beginning of the thread and got sick of reading arguements. So whats the final say on these fixtures, good or bad? Should I replace the ballasts and with what?

ok, here is my .02 cents...

I have two fixtures, both are the 48" dual 250w, I have been really happy with both, and I have not had any problems, I did replaced the ballast on both, on my main tank I also installed Phoenix 14k bulbs, and true 03 Actinics, so i get lots of color, the 14k are great for growth, I have multiple Acros that are about to come out of the water, and I now have official 6 colors of encrusting Montipora (neon pink, Neon Green, red, Purple, green/purple, and brown/purple) and all are growing great.

all of my corals have grown alot, and my frag tank just made me $300 worth of frags, so far.. :eek1:

on my frag tank I have 14kblue Hammilton and 2 03Actinic & 2 Actinic blue. and the coloration I get on some coral is getting better, but I preffer the Phoenix bulbs.

BTW, I run the MH 8hr/day and the actinics only turn on 1 before the MH, and then off 15min after MH are on,so the MH are the only source of light all day. then on 15 min before the MH are off and finally run for 1 hr, then 15min before Actinics turn off, the moon lights turn on, and they run till 2am.

so i save on electricity, and I still get the color and growth.

with that said, i believe this is a good fixture that can be made better, and still cost less than a comparable one.

if you replace MH bulbs and ballast, plus the cost of the fixture you are about $750+/-, and a comparable unit is about $1k...


you decide... and good luck
:smokin:

 

[TaubBaer]

I had purchased the Odyssey 24" for $200 at LFS and replaced the ballast at $105 online which cost me $305. I still SAVE $200+ for not getting brand name model. I noticed that the softies like the new ballast.

 

[DarG]

Re: Another inexpensive MH fixture

Re: Another inexpensive MH fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11400206#post11400206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan3949
I was looking for an inexpensive MH fixture and came close to buying the Odyssey fixture. I reviewed this thread (took several days) and ended up buying a different fixture. This one is also on ebay, yet the one I bought is 24", 150W with 2 T5 actinic lights:

(see xsord2007 on ebay)

I just received the fixture and I am fairly pleased at this point. If anyone is interested I can provide additional information on a different thread (I don't want to highjack this thread).

I did not find much info before buying this fixture. Does anyone have experiecnce with this light?

Cool, somebody finally made a cheapie with T5's.

 

[jmc74]

Re: Another inexpensive MH fixture

Re: Another inexpensive MH fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11400206#post11400206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan3949
I was looking for an inexpensive MH fixture and came close to buying the Odyssey fixture. I reviewed this thread (took several days) and ended up buying a different fixture. This one is also on ebay, yet the one I bought is 24", 150W with 2 T5 actinic lights:

(see xsord2007 on ebay)

I just received the fixture and I am fairly pleased at this point. If anyone is interested I can provide additional information on a different thread (I don't want to highjack this thread).

I did not find much info before buying this fixture. Does anyone have experiecnce with this light?

post pictures please, I know this is about the Oddysea, but im interested on the performance of this unit...


can you tell me what tye of MH bulbs are? how about the T5?

are the ballast magnetic or electronic?

 

[Duff Man]

I vote for pictures too. The pictures in their description are lacking. Does the cord come out the back or the sides?

 

[Hoobahans]

It's a shame that the shipping is so rediculous on these. For the 48" fixture you pay 70 dollars to ship it, and there is no combined shipping if you get two. That comes out to 400 dollars each for 2X150 mh and the T5s.

 

[dan3949]

I do not want to hijack this Odyssey thread (especially since I have only a few posts - have been a lurker for months). Thus I have started a new thread on the MH fixture I bought.

The link is:

Inexpensive MH/T5 Light

 

[agsansoo]

dan3949,
I wouldn't even had considered those lights. They are only 150 watt MH. The Odyssea fixtures are 250 watt MH.

 

[dan3949]

That is one obvious difference between these lights.

Since I am setting up a 20L, the 150W MH was what I wanted. I was concerned the 250W was too much for a short tank.

 

[agsansoo]

Yeah, I see your point. My tank is about 21" deep, so I need a little more light. I'm sure the electric company agrees with my decision. LOL Though I wish I had the new 36" dual 250 watt MH fixture they have now !

 

[miatawnt2b]

I'm anxious to see what kind of ballast those lights have. Electronic or magnetic, and I am also curious if they are electronic, how much wattage they pull from the wall.
-J

 

[abulgin]

I got my 48" fixture today. Took a week to get here with free shipping. They sent me 20,000K bulbs. I am a little disappointed--I was under the impression that they would send the 15,000K bulbs.

 

[cubano2480]

with ballast is best for this fixture???

 

[cubano2480]

BTW I got the 24" one

 

[aha24]

i was wondering if these would work and if anyone has tried them .

Lumatek 250W/120V Digital Ballast

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ign=mdhfl&fromsource=mdhflLK111520071221b4rt1

 

[miatawnt2b]

I don't think anyone here has used that model, but there is no reason it shouldn't work IMO.
-J

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Some Skimmate pics with no mods, 1.5 days.

 

[05Xrunner]

Hey...I see this thread is still going strong.
Well its been a good while since I took down my tanks and all. I had that 48" Odyssea and was great when I changed to the Coralvue ballast. Now my question is. I am building a new tank a lagoon style top viewing only tank. I am going to have a 150w retro pendant hanging above. I still have both of those old Odyssea ballast from my light. Since they only push 160 would they be ok to use on my pendant. it probably wont be long term but just soemthing to get the thing up and running now and pick up a new ballast in a few weeks.

Thanks
ohh and ehre are pics of my progress so far.
Tank 25x25x9

Frame of stand

here is what the skin is gonna be like. Its acrylic and painted the back of it black. I havnt attached it yet. Doing that today.

Then i am going to have a 8" shelf all around the border of the top of the tank. I am going to have sand there. a grassy area and buy a bunch of those tiny palm trees and stuff you buy for toy train sets. to make it look like a tropical jungle surrounding my Lagoon.

 

[carlso63]

The Odyssea ballast should be fine with a 150w pendant

 

[dan3949]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11424481#post11424481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miatawnt2b
I'm anxious to see what kind of ballast those lights have. Electronic or magnetic, and I am also curious if they are electronic, how much wattage they pull from the wall.
-J

The ballast is definitely magnetic. I have lots of pictures in the thread I started on this fixture

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1275379

So far I have had no problems. Only time will tell!