[Asu1776]

When I bought this, I was under the impression I was getting a T5HO, but looks this fixture is actually comes with T5NO bulbs, unless someone knows where to buy 18W T5HO bulbs. I think it's 17" from end of pin to pin, a bit larger than aquatic life and other 18W light bulbs.

 

[Raymond S.]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...=LIghting+&+Hoods&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13821+13823&pcatid=13823
Here are two bulbs. One is just a T5 and this is what is sometimes labeled T5NO.
It is the first one and it fits the Aqueon T5 fixture.
The second is a T5HO and its for T5HO fixtures.
Look at the details of the Watts on both. You will see that in the 18" the T5 is 14W.
You will see the T5HO in 18" is 18W.
BTW I have the True Lumen bulbs shown in my Odyssea 20" fixture cause the bulbs supplied/w it are not very good. They have a lot of glair.
The True Lumen bulbs shown give the best color I have ever seen in my tank.
The picture looks like the bulb is pink but the light from it is white.
In my opinion and from what I have heard also, the Odyssea has less powerful ballast than the better T5HO fixtures do. I know my light does not seem as bright as some T5HO fixtures that I have seen.
But if you have this on a ten g tank you WILL have algae with it.
Did you get the freshwater fixture ? Did it have two 6500K bulbs with it ? If it did, this is HO bulbs.

 

[Asu1776]

Thanks for the links.

When I bought the fixture from evilbay, it was the freshwater fixture. I had originally thought the bulbs that come with that fixture were T5HO but as I am trying to buy new bulbs, the seller told me they are actually regular T5 bulbs. However, my current bulbs are 18W T5 bulbs. I don't mind switching out the bulbs at all, but I was worried that the distance from pin to pin would matter. My bulbs are 17 in from end of pin to the other. I think most other ones are 16.5 in.

Could you share some pics of your Odyssea setup?