For anyone buying cheap MH's

codylowe

codylowe

Member
Ok well i bought a set of the 48" Odyssea 760w lighting fixture off you know where. They run about 379 shipped. Seems like a good deal, but the ballasts are crap and need to be replaced. Here are some before and after pics of my lights when i replaced the stock ballasts with 250 watt Coralvue electronic ballast. **Note - I am still using the stock 15k bulbs that came with the unit. I ordered some 14k hamiltons and will update pictures once they arrive.
First pic is with original bulbs and ballast (no actinics)

Second pic is with left side ballast replaced (actinics on)

Third pic is with both ballasts replaced (no actinics)
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Even with the ballast replacement, which is super easy to do, the fixture is still cheaper than any other comparable models. I really like setup and as you can see the replacement is a drastic change and is a must in my opinion.
Hope this helps anyone that is considering buying this fixture.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by mmm33732
are those pics just with the ballasts replaced, or also with the 14k ham's?
That is just with the new ballasts... My hamiltons won't be here until next week... I will update with pics when i get them installed.
 
bizoid

bizoid

Member
i believe that I have the same light fixture that you have. i have the same yellow tint with my mh's. by upgrading the ballast does it change the quality of light or just the color?
. how much did the new ballasts run you??
 
peckhead

peckhead

Active Member
on a website that is the central of reef... hah ... there is like 150 pages of people talking about how crappy the ballasts are. they only really put out about 1/3 of the power that they claim they do(250)...
i have this fixture too and i use the stock ballasts but with pheonix 14ks. i really like the fixture and im going to replace the ballasts eventually but for now im keeping softies and lps with out a problem.
i really think that the pictures above are of the 10k bulbs because compared to the pictures i have seen of the aquatraders 15ks, they look nothing like it, and they do look like the 10ks that came with my fixture
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by bizoid
i believe that I have the same light fixture that you have. i have the same yellow tint with my mh's. by upgrading the ballast does it change the quality of light or just the color?
. how much did the new ballasts run you??
Upgrading the ballast definately change the quality of the light. Like peckhead said the stock ballasts are very inefficient; however, i think they really put out about 60% of the wattage it is supposed to.
I bought the ballasts for $194.60 and they threw in a coralife digital thermometer with free shipping + 5% off. Shoot me a PM and i will give you more info.
Originally Posted by peckhead
on a website that is the central of reef... hah ... there is like 150 pages of people talking about how crappy the ballasts are. they only really put out about 1/3 of the power that they claim they do(250)...
i have this fixture too and i use the stock ballasts but with pheonix 14ks. i really like the fixture and im going to replace the ballasts eventually but for now im keeping softies and lps with out a problem.
i really think that the pictures above are of the 10k bulbs because compared to the pictures i have seen of the aquatraders 15ks, they look nothing like it, and they do look like the 10ks that came with my fixture
The bulbs are, in fact, 15000k Odyssea. That's what it said on the box and it is written on the bulbs. The 10k pictures i saw were more yellow than mine. I still think they look like 10k tho.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
That company makes junk. I bought some t-5's brand spanking new and the power cord was already pulling out of the ballast.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by stdreb27
That company makes junk. I bought some t-5's brand spanking new and the power cord was already pulling out of the ballast.
Well these 'newer' fixtures seem to be built alright. If the ballast were only good.....
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
I really haven't done much research on any of the other brands... I just know this set was at least half of what any other brand would cost. Even with the upgraded ballast and new bulbs, makes it cheaper than the next comparable model.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by bizoid
what name brands are considered to be amongst the best. any isight would be appeciated.

Well, i PM'd you a site that compares ballasts and bulbs... You should be able to get all the info you need.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
My Leather didn't like me messing with the lights... But i will repost the old bulbs w/ new ballast for side by side comparison.
 
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