AQUATRADERS INFO

[ballardjr2000]

ok without starting a huge fight etc etc. i have read thread after thread mainly looking for any info from local reefers about this or a similar item yes price seems to good to be true i hear fires etc etc all dated in 2008 or later. trying to find some up to date info.

http://shop.aquatraders.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=54224

[robalv]

dude order one and let me know so i can order one...lol wow hella price if its for real

[ballardjr2000]

I have read good and bad on both, i am worried about the house burning down thing. also i read the bulbs suck and to use ice cap ballats and they are great i think i am going to do it and let yall know. hell i can get it for 229 shipped i know the customer service sucks and have been reasearch hear both good and bad but the post are a year old or older

[cbianco]

...i read the bulbs suck...

Yep.


...i know the customer service sucks...

Yep.

Personal experience.

Christopher

[ballardjr2000]

i think i might give them a shot but i might loose some sleep over it as well

[cowboy572]

I just bought one of there 760 watt 48in metal halide combo lights. From what I have read on just about all the forums by the time you are done the only thing left that's Odyssea is the hood. The ballasts are junk and you have to keep them cool. Also they have a reserve, they dont hit the 250 watts as advertised. It's more like 175 or or something. Like you said the best upgade is to use a Icecap ballast. The bulbs to are junk, they dont have the color balance as advertised. I wish I could remember the link but there's another manufacter out there that makes light sets for a 200 to 300 dollars more than the Odyssea thats better in quality.

[ballardjr2000]

OK so i decided to NOT get it instead i bought the marineland T5 48" which i have already on my tank so i paid 234 with shipping from dr foster and smith and i know i am getting a great product and don't have to modify it. now rob you can give it a shot if you like but like i stated and researched on for about 6 hrs now you need to buy the ice cap ballast and new lights.

[robalv]

no thanks just got my set up bought the fixture from a fellow MASSTard (dconyers) again thanks doug sweet hook up just had to buy the ballast already had 1 wired it up to the switches all of 10 minuets and its running wright now.

[Kyle46N]

I have had a 2 x 250 watt setup for three years now. I replaced the ballasts with ice caps, but I still use Aquatraders' 20k bulbs. I have had zero issues. And can grow anything.

[justahobby]

I have been using mine since November with zero issue. After seeing Kyle's tank I switched to the ice cap ballast, but the old ballast never went beyond luke warm for temperature. The ice cap produces more heat but I enjoy the brighter tank. I get a small chuckle every time I see the same setup for triple the price being sold. As for fires, I never did find an article that started "MY oddyssea caught fire"......rather "I heard or my friend's ...."

[Kristy]

i am worried about the house burning down thing....

i think i am going to do it....

the posts are a year old or older

Seriously? Wow... pretty big risk.

At one time there were some folks around here wondering if the house fires were just urban legend or myth, but this is definitely not the case. I know there was at least one MAAST member who has personally come home to see his home in flames and firefighters at work on it.

Best of luck to you if this is what you decide to go with. To me, posts that date back years saying pretty much the same thing, and as recently as a year ago, would be recent enough. But then again, you had me at "house burning down." Not trying to be difficult or sarcastic, just hoping you've really thought this through.

I'll try to find the guy's post (again!) when I have time that tells of his personal experience with the house in flames.

[JoshOdphi]

hey bro....i know people will have their own opinion about light fixtures....and granted i am fairly new as well....but my girlfriend and I ordered the 250 w MH fixture...same one from ur link just the smaller version.with 4 moonlight Led's for 180 with shippin..and have been using it since February and have had no problems whatsoever with it...actually we've seen a lot of growth as well....i live here in kingsville as well if ur ever interested in fraggin something maybe i can buy some off of u....

[Jarob]

I had a single 150hqi fixture from them.. TERRIBLE imo. I replaced it after about 2 months

[ballardjr2000]

i went with the marineland t-5 fixture i have already so now i am running wo of them (marineland 48")