Opinion on this light...

[loans_n_fishes]

Hey, I really need some better lighting on my 75 gal. It will not have sps or clams. Maybe a few LPS. Will this light be ok?

http://www.thehobbypalace.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_17&products_id=239

I would rather have t5s if I were going to do sps and clams, but won't this pc work just as well for softies and LPS?

[GaryP]

Softys and some clams will do OK under just about any kind of lights. I would stay away from Crocea and Maxima clams unless you have MH. I have known several people that have had problems with the Odyssea lights. They are relatively new on the market and apparently haven't completely worked out their QC problems yet. They are made in China and most of their equipment seems to be inexpensive knocks offs of more well known brands.

[cpreefguy]

I have had a few Odyssea products and you get what you pay for as far as quality goes.
If I were you I would go with halides so you wont be limited as to what you can keep. If you go with less intense lighting, I can almost guarantee that you will still find yourself looking at clams/SPS and saying "I wish I could keep that."
HTH

[JeremyGlen]

I would recommend staying away from the Odyssea. I had one and I really didn't like it. Like he said, you get what you pay for and that isn't much.

I would have to agree on the whole buying the bigger lights "just in case". Everyone I know gets some form of PC, VHO, T5, etc. and then wants to keep something more and spends tons of money on halides. Just go big in the beginning and get the halides, your softies and lps will thank you.

Also, having the intense lighting allows you to run 20K bulbs for the very pretty blue color and not have to worry about the decreased PAR.

[Andrew]

Go for retro, either T5 or VHO, and you can always add MH later. . .

Andrew

[Jynxgirl]

I would suggest going down to a store that carries these and ask to have them turn it on. If it doesn't make a buzz, I would be surprised. Both the ones I have gotten from someone make a little noise. Not alot, but its just this little annoying hum.

I would suggest waiting until someone has a retro for sale in the forum that has both halides and vhos or just spring for a retro of either and add on later.

Jill

[loans_n_fishes]

I just found a home built hanging light system with 1 400W mh ballast socket and 2 bulbs, 3 40W 48" actinics, 2 18" actinic, some moon-light leds build in for $100. Should I jump on this, or is it something I should stay away from?