Odyssea unit with ATI bulbs.

[AdamsB]

As the title suggests, I'm wondering if anyone has used a cheaper t5 unit like an Odyssea or fish need it and put in good quality bulbs like ATI. How would this preform compared to an ATI unit?

 

[dougers31]

You get what you pay for... and sometimes you get less. That's my general opinion of el cheapo fixtures.

 

[jeremy]

I did it a couple years ago with an oddysea fixture and bulbs were shot in six months. Moonlighting was burned out in 2 months. They dont even come close to an ati. Tbe reflectors and bulb cooling of ati makes a huge difference in bulb life and increased par. I wish I would have save my money and bought a used ati I would have been better off. You could do a tek fixture or an aquatic life fixture both are a bit cheaper than ati and work pretty well.

 

[hybridazn]

I did with a 4 bulb fixture. It grew sps fine but as stated above the bulbs crapped out fairly quickly. Lack of cooling and a cheap single reflector really killed the bulbs

 

[rockinzebra457]

ive tried two different odyssea fixtures and when I went to put ati bulbs in them. It fried the balast on one of the fixtures and on the other fixture the balast couldn't even light the ati bulb.

 

[AdamsB]

Oh wow. So the general consensus is a no. Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated

 

[Duffam3434]

I've heard many BAD Things about those lights. My buddy out here that owns a LFS told me NEVER Buy One!! I believe he said they've been known to start fires. Obviously anything that has to do with aquariums can but its more common with those lights is what I was told.

 

[eww]

I agree with the consensus given above. Like n most things in life, you get what you pay for. You would be better to save you money and buy a better quality fixture, Skimmers and lighting are the last things you want to skimp on in the hobby. Get the better stuff and you will have a much happier system.