Odyssea 48' T5 HO 2x 54Watt

nicks7.1985 · 08-12-2010, 07:21 AM

im just getting into planting tanks..this is going to be my first one and didnt want to spent a fortune. found this light on aquatraders.

[had the website here then i read that im not allowed to post other sites or somehitng like that]

it was 45$..60$ after shipping....is anyone familar with this brand of light/fixture....iv read that older models were a fire hazard but that has been eliminated since switching from magnetic ballasts.

should i go ahead and order it or keep looking around. its for a 55gallon tank and im planning to co2 it up when i get paid next week. plants wont be for another 2 weeks at least. but every i look lighs are crazy expensive and if im getting co2 this cheap option would help.

what do you think?..feel free to be brutally honest..im new to this and need the info.

happi · 08-12-2010, 07:46 AM

we are having same discussion on this thread.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...t-fixture.html

nicks7.1985 · 08-12-2010, 08:08 AM

thanks happi..ill join it

happi · 08-12-2010, 05:51 PM

i think we can talk about it here, as you could see my post was deleted due to the eBay link. i had the same questions about the same fixture. i hope someone could answer.

fresh.salty · 08-12-2010, 05:54 PM

I have the 24" version of the fixture and one bulb position failed after 6 weeks. The seller said return it but I'd tossed out the packaging. It's over a 10g anyway so more than enough light for me. lol

slapnutz · 08-12-2010, 06:01 PM

I have an odyssea 48" 4x54w T5HO light. I've had it over a year, no problems what so ever.

jinx© · 08-12-2010, 06:08 PM

I have a somewhat older one that I picked up as an add in on a Craigslist deal for some other items. I used it for quite awhile with no issues and it still works fine.

The reflector system isn't the best but it will get you by in most cases I would think.

I ended up wiring up regular endcaps in the unit I have, ditching the weird molex-esque type connectors that it came with.

All in all, it's not the best light, but for the price it's not horrible.

MlDukes · 08-12-2010, 06:12 PM

Heres some intel on mine -

I ordered my fixture off of - Aquatraders.com - I went with the Odyssea 4x54w t5HO Pro - The moonlights quit working 3 days after the warrenty expired... But the fixtures work great and seems to be well assembled.

In most cases - You get what you pay for.

Burks · 08-12-2010, 06:34 PM

Just don't expect to compare it to quality fixtures in terms of light output. The fixture design and the bulbs are really limiting.

But for the price, it's a pretty good deal.

MlDukes · 08-12-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burks

Just don't expect to compare it to quality fixtures in terms of light output. The fixture design and the bulbs are really limiting.

But for the price, it's a pretty good deal.

I just cant justify the price difference between the odyssea and one with equal specs that is quadruple the price....

If i have my odyssea sitting next to a "quality" fixture with identical bulbs... Your saying the "quality" one will put out more light than the odyssea??? So much more that they are not even comparable??

How so?

jinx© · 08-12-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MlDukes

I just cant justify the price difference between the odyssea and one with equal specs that is quadruple the price....

If i have my odyssea sitting next to a "quality" fixture with identical bulbs... Your saying the "quality" one will put out more light than the odyssea??? So much more that they are not even comparable??

How so?

Reflectors for the most part. High quality individual polished reflectors make a huge difference.
Two bulbs with good reflectors would probably come close to matching the output of this 4 bulb model, although likely wouldn't provide as much coverage.

happi · 08-12-2010, 08:23 PM

yeh i have heard many bad things about Odyssea, but i have also heard that most of them were made between 2005-2007 and they are the one had tons of problems. but the newer models are better with less problems or no problems at all. i know the reflectors are not that great either, because each of their bulbs does not have individual reflector.

am not sure how bright the bulbs will be or how it would work on my planted tank. i currently have nova extreme 2x54 on my 50g tank, i wanted to go very high lighted tank to see what difference would it make. i was simply not able to grow most of the foreground plants properly. once i add this fixture to my tank, i would be running 4x54W on my 50g tank, which makes it 216W total, 4.32 WPG. don't know if i should still consider this a very high light, i have seen many members here who have more than 6WPG on their tanks.

having my setup with T5HO bulbs should put me in very high light but i would like to hear it from you guys. how would these 2 fixture perform on my 50g. i was thinking about getting another nova extreme 2x54 but i was short on money and i had to go with this cheap fixture.

any advice would be nice, thanks

MlDukes · 08-12-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Reflectors for the most part. High quality individual polished reflectors make a huge difference.
Two bulbs with good reflectors would probably come close to matching the output of this 4 bulb model, although likely wouldn't provide as much coverage.

Gotcha

I guess i underestimate the importance of "quality" reflectors in general.

MlDukes · 08-12-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happi

yeh i have heard many bad things about Odyssea, but i have also heard that most of them were made between 2005-2007 and they are the one had tons of problems. but the newer models are better with less problems or no problems at all. i know the reflectors are not that great either, because each of their bulbs does not have individual reflector.

am not sure how bright the bulbs will be or how it would work on my planted tank. i currently have nova extreme 2x54 on my 50g tank, i wanted to go very high lighted tank to see what difference would it make. i was simply not able to grow most of the foreground plants properly. once i add this fixture to my tank, i would be running 4x54W on my 50g tank, which makes it 216W total, 4.32 WPG. don't know if i should still consider this a very high light, i have seen many members here who have more than 6WPG on their tanks.

having my setup with T5HO bulbs should put me in very high light but i would like to hear it from you guys. how would these 2 fixture perform on my 50g. i was thinking about getting another nova extreme 2x54 but i was short on money and i had to go with this cheap fixture.

any advice would be nice, thanks

I can tell you this, I went with the 4x54w opposed to the 2x54w on my 55g solely for future upgrades (In case i decide to go SW or upgrade to a 75g). I only run 2 of the 4 bulbs, When i turn on all 4 its WAY too bright IMO.

I understand the WPG rule does not apply to T5 especially not T5 HO.

fresh.salty · 08-12-2010, 09:31 PM

Part of the problem will be how the light is spread from front to back. I know my 4 bulb Nova fixture doesn't give even distribution front to back using the mounting legs. I only run two bulbs and added a single Hagen fixture behind it.

08-12-2010, 07:21 AM	#1
nicks7.1985 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Dundalk, MD Posts: 413	Odyssea 48' T5 HO 2x 54Watt im just getting into planting tanks..this is going to be my first one and didnt want to spent a fortune. found this light on aquatraders. [had the website here then i read that im not allowed to post other sites or somehitng like that] it was 45$..60$ after shipping....is anyone familar with this brand of light/fixture....iv read that older models were a fire hazard but that has been eliminated since switching from magnetic ballasts. should i go ahead and order it or keep looking around. its for a 55gallon tank and im planning to co2 it up when i get paid next week. plants wont be for another 2 weeks at least. but every i look lighs are crazy expensive and if im getting co2 this cheap option would help. what do you think?..feel free to be brutally honest..im new to this and need the info.

08-12-2010, 06:08 PM	#7
jinx© Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,545	I have a somewhat older one that I picked up as an add in on a Craigslist deal for some other items. I used it for quite awhile with no issues and it still works fine. The reflector system isn't the best but it will get you by in most cases I would think. I ended up wiring up regular endcaps in the unit I have, ditching the weird molex-esque type connectors that it came with. All in all, it's not the best light, but for the price it's not horrible. __________________

08-12-2010, 06:12 PM	#8
MlDukes Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MO Posts: 885	Heres some intel on mine - I ordered my fixture off of - Aquatraders.com - I went with the Odyssea 4x54w t5HO Pro - The moonlights quit working 3 days after the warrenty expired... But the fixtures work great and seems to be well assembled. In most cases - You get what you pay for. __________________ In the beginning: DUKES 55g http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...dukes-55g.html DUKES Fluval Edge http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...uval-edge.html

08-12-2010, 06:34 PM	#9
Burks Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: May 2006 Location: Crestline, OH Posts: 1,929	Just don't expect to compare it to quality fixtures in terms of light output. The fixture design and the bulbs are really limiting. But for the price, it's a pretty good deal. __________________ Filstar Pimp #84

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08-12-2010, 07:46 AM	#2
happi Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 2,361	we are having same discussion on this thread. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...t-fixture.html

08-12-2010, 08:08 AM	#3
nicks7.1985 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Dundalk, MD Posts: 413	thanks happi..ill join it

08-12-2010, 05:51 PM	#4
happi Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 2,361	i think we can talk about it here, as you could see my post was deleted due to the eBay link. i had the same questions about the same fixture. i hope someone could answer.

08-12-2010, 05:54 PM	#5
fresh.salty Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,939	I have the 24" version of the fixture and one bulb position failed after 6 weeks. The seller said return it but I'd tossed out the packaging. It's over a 10g anyway so more than enough light for me. lol

08-12-2010, 06:01 PM	#6
slapnutz Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 238	I have an odyssea 48" 4x54w T5HO light. I've had it over a year, no problems what so ever.

08-12-2010, 08:23 PM	#12
happi Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 2,361	yeh i have heard many bad things about Odyssea, but i have also heard that most of them were made between 2005-2007 and they are the one had tons of problems. but the newer models are better with less problems or no problems at all. i know the reflectors are not that great either, because each of their bulbs does not have individual reflector. am not sure how bright the bulbs will be or how it would work on my planted tank. i currently have nova extreme 2x54 on my 50g tank, i wanted to go very high lighted tank to see what difference would it make. i was simply not able to grow most of the foreground plants properly. once i add this fixture to my tank, i would be running 4x54W on my 50g tank, which makes it 216W total, 4.32 WPG. don't know if i should still consider this a very high light, i have seen many members here who have more than 6WPG on their tanks. having my setup with T5HO bulbs should put me in very high light but i would like to hear it from you guys. how would these 2 fixture perform on my 50g. i was thinking about getting another nova extreme 2x54 but i was short on money and i had to go with this cheap fixture. any advice would be nice, thanks

08-12-2010, 09:31 PM	#15
fresh.salty Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,939	Part of the problem will be how the light is spread from front to back. I know my 4 bulb Nova fixture doesn't give even distribution front to back using the mounting legs. I only run two bulbs and added a single Hagen fixture behind it.