akambience Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I have been looking into an Odyssea 48" MH fixture w/T-5s. I have read some terrifying reviews from some models from a few years ago. Ballasts melting and such. Nick at Rose City says that he sells a lot of them and hasn’t seen anything negative about them. Although he’s a salesman, from the research I have done online, there seems to be online consensus(as much as there can be) about the newer models being better designed and cooler ballasts and better fans. I would love to be able to invest in quality lights but T-5 and MH fixture combo is way out of our price range. Is there anyone here that owns a MH Odyssea fixture? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 If your not in a rush I would wait till you can find someone with a maristar from sunlight supply. I just sold mine not long ago for $400. Screaming deal for the owner and it had pheonix bulbs too. I think you pay about $329 or so for the 4ft fixture of the odyssea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer503 Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I read all those same reviews about them being bad... but they were also posted back 3+ years ago. From all the newer stuff I could find (2010-2011), they seem to have improved them some, no more magnetic ballasts. I have talked to some people that have been using them for the last couple years and have been successful. Some people have gone on to replace the ballast still, but I think the light casing is comparable to most of the other common lights out there. Considering that the Aquaticlife R7S was the one I wanted: http://www.aquaticlife.com/hidR7S/index.html, but cost $1,000, I went ahead and gave the Odyssea one a try for $300. I have no reports yet as to it's performance or durability, but you're welcome to come over and see it in person if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I used to have an odyssea and a fishneedit (same brand). I think Brad (reefnjunkie) used one for a long time with success. They were working well for me. You get what you pay for, as usual. If you are tight on the budget and in need for a fixture "right now", get it. They will work well. But if you can wait and save some money, get something better. Light play a huge role in coral keeping, especially sps, if you are going that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I have a 216 watt ho t5 odyssea light with ati bulbs over my 55 gallon sps tank. I really like it, but I have never dealt with their metal halide lights. Here is my tank with the odyssea fixture. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hozer21 Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I have used this brand before and I never really had an issue with it other than getting new lights for them . The light they come with work pretty good but don't hold up as well as some of ther other brands (phoenix ....etc.. ) but I would say they work great & for the price u really can't beat that u can upgrade items as u go along . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Me too, I ran them with phoenix bulbs. You can try to contact Simon (the guy running aquatraders/fishneedit) or talk to Nick in order to get the fixture without bulbs (getting some discount) so that you can put some nice bulbs on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I ran the same fixture for years, I upgraded the ballast to a 250 watt dual galaxy and after I did so I said "that was a waste of 235.00" I should have left it the way it was, oh well the new ballast has 5 year warranty I would buy the fixture again. I am presently selling (or will be listing it again) the same fixture with the upgraded ballast and phoenix bulbs-I also replaced the power compacts it came with to T5's- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer503 Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I did see that the replacement 250w DE MH bulbs from aquatrader.com are only $16.90 vs. a Phoenix one for $55... so I can only imagine theres a difference in bulb quality for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGooseWhisperer Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Those bulbs will probably only last a couple months (at best). The Phoenix bulbs are a great product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akambience Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 Thats a great idea, I'll talk to Nick about getting a bulb-less fixture. I also assumed that the stock bulbs were rubbish. Philip(bluecheese) set me up with an MX 20k mogul bulb and it's nothing short of spectacular. Jeff: we would love to take you up on your offer. My wife is skeptical about the quality of the fixture for $300. Rightfully so, I was as well until I sat down and read 1700 reviews and forum posts about them. After everyone here shared promising experiences, i'm convinced to give them a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinehrnt Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I used the 150W MH pendant light over my nano tank for about a year. I replaced the stock bulb with a phoenix 14K within two months of buying the fixture. I had good luck with it and no real complaints other than the build quality is not great, feels a little flimsy but for the price I can't complain too much. Like other people have said if you are on a budget it's probably worth picking one up and changing the bulbs. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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