About to push the buy button(update)

[chunkofocean125]

Ok so im abou.t to buy a 72inch Odyssea MH/T5 combo fixture. 3x 250hm/4x T5
Its going for 399.99 So the price is right. Before i make the leap id like some comments from you's.
It seems like its well built and all but when compared to other units, its half the price. I know that cheaper isint always bad but.......
Let me know what you think........

Thanks....Marc

[FocusFin]

This is a never ending debate

The reason it's half the price is because the ballasts (if they're the originals) don't push 250watts so you're not really getting what you expect. If you want to compare apples and apples then you need to switch out the ballast which is going to cost you extra.

If you're keeping mostly lps and softies in a 24inch or less depth tank you should be okay.

BTW: There's a concern that has been floating around for a number of years that these units catch fire, it's largely a myth based on anecdotal evidence from a handful of people who experienced problems with the old style pre-electronic ballasts. They are not however UL or CSA approved so that is a consideration.

[Benja]

Is this fixture used?

[Darth]

They are not however UL or CSA approved so that is a consideration.

true but also stated half the stuff people make retrofit is one piece of tape short of electrocution LOL
you know my stand, I have one 24" deep tank and I have kept everything
AS mike said the debate is never ending from what I read on reef central is people who own them like them. people who don't own them don't like them (how can you have an opinion of something you never used is beyond me) As I said the one I have is going on 2 years with 2 previous owners ( I sold it, that person sold it and I bought it back) As I always said the only thing i would replace is the bulbs, but in 2 years they may have upgraded those to

[rush]

Spend the extra and get something that you know is good. Warranty, CSA approved etc. In this hobby, cheap equals more expensive in the long run, most of the time anyways

But your call, its your wallet and your tank

[Darth]

again I say csa approved is a moot point how many in this hobby have made their own fixtures to save money, they were not electrical engineers and csa approval didnt happen till abot 2-3 years ago. So as I said those who own them like them and those that don't don't 

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1037172 this is an EXTREMELY HUGE THREAD WILL TAKE HOURS TO READ

[redbelly]

I know several people who have purchased these.
And I know several people that have had to replace all of the electronic ballasts in tem over the course of 2 years.

Spend it now or spend it later.

With DIY, at least the components have some type of certification.
These dont.

If you are looking to save a few buck either buy used in the clasiffieds or most of the local stores have affordable lighting options these days.

[Darth]

 Not to mention that this light is 100% safer than many of the DIY retro's I've seen on this board. Anyone with some screws, a screw gun and masking tape can install a UL ballast into a hood. The UL doesn't mean it's a safe install
I have had no problems with the ballast either

[chunkofocean125]

k so im getting 2- 36''  tek lighting t5 / 6bulb fixtures today for my 6 foot tank.

Now im stuck on what bulbs to get with them. I know i want giesman or ATI bulbs from what im reading on RC and here.
My question is what would be the best mix of bulbs for my 6 bulb unit. it has two switches, one for the inner tubes and one for the outers.
I was thinking midday 6000k x2 for the center bulbs and blue special and blue plus for the other 4 bulbs(2 of each)
What do u think............

[FocusFin]

You might also want to throw in a Fiji purple, it helps to bring out the reds in the tank. When I went to see Ray he showed me a few different colour combinations and I was able to pick what I wanted rather than getting home and saying "gee I don't really like that, too bad".

[chunkofocean125]

perfect....Im on my way there now...............................

[az]

I would pick 1 t5 5' 6 bulb fixture over 2 3' 6 bulb fixture anyday, yearly bulb change will cost 180 instead of 300, might want to  look into it, also you might want to add some led strips to make the corals pop.

[NjOyRiD]

I would pick 1 t5 5' 6 bulb fixture over 2 3' 6 bulb fixture anyday, yearly bulb change will cost 180 instead of 300, might want to  look into it, also you might want to add some led strips to make the corals pop.

yeah Az you got a good point on that! hehe
I would stick also with 6x 80w
OR 4x Aquaillumination modules if you can afford it!

[vic622]

... http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1037172 this is an EXTREMELY HUGE THREAD WILL TAKE HOURS TO READ

Okay, 2hrs of reading & I made it to page 19 of 40 ... that's enough threading for one day
Having said that, there is a lot of positive 1st hand reviews & info- But - it's all for the 2007 MH product year (PC fixtures) with no info on the T5's

[Darth]

yes the t5 fixtures are new they and going on what I have seen I am going to assume they are as good if not better then the pc's