Cheap Metal halide light? Safe to buy?

[bk_market]

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageA...&ProdID=334

 

I found this cheap shop call Aqua Traders. this is what they selling (im planning to put this in my 40gal 36" long tank):

Approx Fixture Size: 36"L x 15"W x 3"H

1x250W HQI, 2x96W CF, and 4xBluemoon LED

 

Odyssea Metal Halide System (Electronic Version) features:

 

non-corrosive powder coated housing

extra large built-in cooling fans

1x external electronic HQI ballasts

2x internal electronic CF ballast

individual power cords

tempered glass splash guard

mounting brackets

 

 

FREE item* listed below:

1x double ended 250W HQI bulb

2x compact fluorescent 96W bulb actinic blue

4x plug in bluemoon LED

 

FREE SHIPPING

 

 

My question are: anyone buy from this store before? How the quality? Is the light system good for 249$? Any advices and recommendation would be appreciate. Thanx guys.

[Rascal]

Search on RC before you buy.

 

One word will tell you why.

 

Fire.

[Buucca]

Bought mine from Aqua Traders in December. I got the 48" 2x250wHQI and 4x65w true actinic + 6x blue lunar lights. Its a sleek looking unit and I have no complaints. It comes w 10,000k and I replaced them with 14,000k bulbs. My tank is a softy so I can't vouch that SPS will like it.

[Tom C.]

I have bought two different sets of Odyssea one set of 72" T5's and a 30" T5. They are both now dead and have owned them for less than a year. But I didnt by MH. I will never buy that brand again. Wait for someone to give you advise that has been keeping coral for a couple of years. They will give you a heads up.

[bk_market]

I read in RC and everyone saying different things. anyone else use this brand before?

[phisigs79]

Dont have experience with this but IMO you get what you pay for. I would go with a retro if you worried about price. They will last a lot longer in the long run

[jamesbuf]

I've only read bad things about Odyssea. I considered buying one of their lights when I first made the switch from a fish only tank, and I read so many bad experiences that I decided against it. Any product that has that many fires associated with it can't be a good thing. You can sometimes find good deals out there, but in general you really do get what you pay for in this hobby.

[Buucca]

I've only read bad things about Odyssea. I considered buying one of their lights when I first made the switch from a fish only tank, and I read so many bad experiences that I decided against it. Any product that has that many fires associated with it can't be a good thing. You can sometimes find good deals out there, but in general you really do get what you pay for in this hobby.

Since I have one of these fixtures what site can I visit to read up on about all these fires? Like what causes these fires? I've been checking its temp. several times a day and the four fans are doing a good job since I read your post several days ago. Thanks for any info you can send my way.

 

Bill

Edited March 13, 2007 by Buucca

[jamesbuf]

Good to www.reefcentral.com and do a search for odyssea. You'll find plenty of info there.

[Buucca]

Good to www.reefcentral.com and do a search for odyssea. You'll find plenty of info there.

I'm going there now, thanks for the info

 

Bill

[Guest JasonD]

I've been following the numerous posts on RC about these lights. Consensus seems that they are no-frills but get the job done just fine...kinda like comparing a Hyundai to a Lexus, or maybe comparing the new Hydor Koralia's to the much more expensive Tunze powerheads. Not fancy or the best, but they work just fine. The price is definitely right...

 

I think the fire BS is just that, BS. In today's litigious society a company can't start home fires and stay in business. I'm sure that these lights are safer than a lot of homemade retro kits I've seen slapped together.