opinions on this light

[streetracinsrt]

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=334

I need you guys opinions on this light I read a very long thread on this light in the main forums and they seem to think it is a pretty good unit for the money. I was wondering if anyone locally has this light?
I dont have the money to drop $500 plus for a light so this sounds good. Maybe to good to be true

 

[SRT80]

odyssea lights gets mixed reviews. I heard awhile back about the MH ballasts catching fire. But supposley they upgraded to a new electronic ballast. I heard good about their PCs. I had one but the fan was just too loud.

Steve

 

[greystreet41]

I have one of their fixtures...it's been "fine" but not great for sps IMO. Everything else has done well. SPS haven't grown well or colored up well for me with their lights...I'm sure that's just a contributing factor...

 

[crumbletop]

I've read that the ballasts are not UL listed. To me, it isn't worth it to risk fire or other problems. I'd save a few months more and get a diff light setup. Also, if this is for a 30 gallon, you could probably get by with a decent single 250W halide + reflector, and maybe pick up a used PC or VHO retrofit for the actinics and come in around the same price.

I priced out a 250W electronic ballast, parabolic reflector, 10K ushio bulb, 2 36" T5HO retrofit + 2x Actinic+ bulbs for 355.35 at hello lights. Also, I think TitansFan has some 36" T5s he is getting rid of, so you might could pick that up for cheap and may also find that it is plenty of light. 2x39W T5s over a 30 would likely be plenty of light for a 30 gallon -- maybe even too much if you have mushrooms and other things like that. Point is, there are other options that may work well.

Greystreet41 may be able to comment on whether or not these are money well spent. If they are "fine" but not great, that likely means more $ in the future to upgrade to something that looks and works better. If so, then you'd likely spend more in the long run if you bought these now rather than going another route.

 

[SRT80]

hey street, check these lights out...

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1417

They come in 2, 4, 6, and 8 bulbs x39 watts and they have individual reflectors for each bulb (which is amust for the t-5). Seems like a good deal to me. I think I read the ballast has 5 year warranty (might be wrong). Wished I seen these before I ordered my 24" finnex t-5. It's 4x24 watt with one reflector that doesnt even have a mirror finish to it. Fans, legs are extra though, I dont know how much. I'll probably go with one of the 4ft ones when/if I get me a 55 gal. Just thought I'd let you know.

Steve

 

[gflat65]

Now Odyssea PC bulbs are the way to go IMO (cheaper and bluer than any others I've seen). No experience with the ballasts, though.

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9532038#post9532038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SRT80
hey street, check these lights out...

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1417

They come in 2, 4, 6, and 8 bulbs x39 watts and they have individual reflectors for each bulb (which is amust for the t-5). Seems like a good deal to me. I think I read the ballast has 5 year warranty (might be wrong). Wished I seen these before I ordered my 24" finnex t-5. It's 4x24 watt with one reflector that doesnt even have a mirror finish to it. Fans, legs are extra though, I dont know how much. I'll probably go with one of the 4ft ones when/if I get me a 55 gal. Just thought I'd let you know.

Steve

This would be good to read before buying some lights from catalina:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=824797

 

[SRT80]

hmmm......I guess ignore my post then. I ordered some bulbs from them awhile back and one burned out about 3 weeks after I got it. They sent me a replacement. All other bulbs has been fine. Gary you really like the pc bulbs from aquatraders? I'll definately have to check that out. They are cheaper than others.

Steve

 

[streetracinsrt]

thanks for the input guys i will pm titans fan first to see about those t5's

 

[gflat65]

Steve,

I've been using them for about a year now with no issues. I replace every 6 months (just like my VHO's-9 on SE MH and 12 on DE MH). They have some good blue and decent par accordign to the meter. Now, I tested under about 6" of water and got readings around 85-100 (in the 1/2 15 gal). Now sure about deeper, though. The zoas under those lights looks better than those in some of the other tanks i have.

 

[uwn2007]

[violation]