Upgraded Odyssea Ballast Gone Bad

downhillbiker · 08/26/2008, 12:51 PM

I have heard so many things about upgrading my odyssea ballast on my 48" 2x250w fixture. A friend offered to let me try out his Sunlight Supply Galaxy ballast and when I hooked it up and it did nothing more than the old ballast. No difference. I dont have a PAR meter, but I doubt it has increased much if I cant see any difference visually. Both bulbs are stock bulbs and both 10k.

Can you tell which side has the Galaxy Ballast and which has the Odyssea Ballast?

Here they are, side-by-side.

m3fan8ic · 08/26/2008, 01:53 PM

what kind of bulbs are you using?

downhillbiker · 08/26/2008, 02:00 PM

they are the stock odyssea 10k bulbs, which i have read, aren't actually that bad, but i just ordered some new bulbs, and they are 14k, so we will see if there is a more notable difference once we get some more color in the bulbs.

so can you see any difference in the two? dont you think...regardless the bulb, that you would see a difference in output between the ballasts?

m3fan8ic · 08/26/2008, 02:22 PM

I have exact same fixture and ballasts..
I don't see any difference at all..I heard the bulb would make a huge difference.. which brand bulb are you going with? I am leaning towards XM 15k

gcarroll · 08/26/2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by downhillbiker
Can you tell which side has the Galaxy Ballast and which has the Odyssea Ballast?

Yes, the galaxy is on the right. what did I win!

downhillbiker · 08/26/2008, 02:42 PM

i went with a cheap bulb from "thelightingdudes" on ebay. several people in our local reef club have bought the bulbs and they are very happy.

gcarroll · 08/26/2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
Yes, the galaxy is on the right. what did I win!

OK, I guess you didn't want that answer. although you might not be able to see the difference with the naked eye, the one on the right is definitly brighter per the photo. camera's can pick things up that the naked eye cannot.

downhillbiker · 08/26/2008, 05:06 PM

you are right gcarroll. but i dont think it is enough of a change to merrit a purchase of a new ballast for both sides. i will just return the ballast i borrowed and stick with the stock ballasts. i think most of the difference in the photo is due to the left having the overflow box and having the shadow in the background.

gcarroll · 08/26/2008, 05:55 PM

nope that is not how i noticed. it was looking at the black between the t5 and the halides. I'm sure you would see at least a 5-10% increase in PAR but you are right, for most it is not worth the upgrade. For some that are trying to get the most out of an eballasts, they might think otherwise.

08/26/2008, 12:51 PM	#1
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	Upgraded Odyssea Ballast Gone Bad I have heard so many things about upgrading my odyssea ballast on my 48" 2x250w fixture. A friend offered to let me try out his Sunlight Supply Galaxy ballast and when I hooked it up and it did nothing more than the old ballast. No difference. I dont have a PAR meter, but I doubt it has increased much if I cant see any difference visually. Both bulbs are stock bulbs and both 10k. Can you tell which side has the Galaxy Ballast and which has the Odyssea Ballast? Here they are, side-by-side. __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

08/26/2008, 02:00 PM	#3
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	they are the stock odyssea 10k bulbs, which i have read, aren't actually that bad, but i just ordered some new bulbs, and they are 14k, so we will see if there is a more notable difference once we get some more color in the bulbs. so can you see any difference in the two? dont you think...regardless the bulb, that you would see a difference in output between the ballasts? __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

08/26/2008, 02:42 PM	#6
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	i went with a cheap bulb from "thelightingdudes" on ebay. several people in our local reef club have bought the bulbs and they are very happy. __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

08/26/2008, 05:06 PM	#8
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	you are right gcarroll. but i dont think it is enough of a change to merrit a purchase of a new ballast for both sides. i will just return the ballast i borrowed and stick with the stock ballasts. i think most of the difference in the photo is due to the left having the overflow box and having the shadow in the background. __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

08/26/2008, 05:55 PM	#9
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	nope that is not how i noticed. it was looking at the black between the t5 and the halides. I'm sure you would see at least a 5-10% increase in PAR but you are right, for most it is not worth the upgrade. For some that are trying to get the most out of an eballasts, they might think otherwise. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

08/26/2008, 01:53 PM	#2
m3fan8ic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N.VA Posts: 52	what kind of bulbs are you using?

08/26/2008, 02:22 PM	#4
m3fan8ic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N.VA Posts: 52	I have exact same fixture and ballasts.. I don't see any difference at all..I heard the bulb would make a huge difference.. which brand bulb are you going with? I am leaning towards XM 15k