Has anyone bought this light fixture?

[brypink]

I was wondering if anyone bought this fixture whether it be a 36", 48", 60" or 72". He sells all those sizes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-442W-Metal-Ha...QQcmdZViewItem

I was just wondering if they are worth the price. I do understand you get what you pay for and I'm a firm believer in spending a bit more for good quality and that's why I'm looking to get the Outer Orbit 36" model 1071 MH/PC 342w light fixture. But, I owe it to myself to at least inquire about this light. He has some really good feedback for these lights, but still want to see if any RC gurus have any experience with the light.

Thanks.

[Jasonincuritiba]

Looks like the Odyssea brand like the stuff you would get from Aquatraders . Com,
probably the worst quality you can get, get the Outer Orbit from Current where at least you will have a lot better warranty and satisfaction with build quality

[snulma1]

Again, don't listen to people who haven't bought or used the fixture! They are just talking because of a name, not from experience! For half of what you will pay for an Outer Orbit fixture, you'll get one from odyssea, plus, you'll get 250w mh's where as the Outer orbit only gives you 150w's.

I believe it was the Great Chuck D of Public Enemy who said it best

"DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!"

[luke33]

There very inexpensive lights. The consensus is that you will need to immediately replace the MH ballasts and MH bulbs, but after that it'll work very well, so you can take that FWIW

[joeycadre]

and read up on the fire concerns over those lights as well.

[Joe]

Originally Posted By snulma1;

"plus, you'll get 250w mh's where as the Outer orbit only gives you 150w's."


Wrong..........The Outer Orbit now comes with the 250 watt HQI bulbs. I have this light (but I'm not saying it's any better than the light brypink is looking at....)

Joe

[SWSaltwater]

this casing looks like a dead ringer for a coralife fixture, ballast looks different. My guess is these are being made in the same or close by chinese factory to coral life.

[DarG]

Outer Orbit has both 150 watt and 250 watt HQI versions.
The 150 watt use internal e-ballasts. The 250 watt use external Magnetic HQI ballasts. Both have the floursecent ballasts built in. They are built quite well actually. The internal layout is neat and they are well put together, sturdy, solid fixtures.

Only thing I would suggest is maybe consider the Outer Orbit with the T5's instead of the PC's.

[snulma1]

You actually don't need to get a new bulb, as most are being sent with a 15000K and they look great if you read the thread about them.

There is no fire risk, that is an old issue with the old fixtures. these are knock offs of the coralife fixtures. But cost a whole lot less. We did the math and even with replacing ballasts, you still save at least 100 dollars.

So Brypink, find the thread in here that talks about the new fixture and read up and make sure you get your info from people who have used it and have checked it out (inside and out!)

[RichConley]

Originally posted by snulma1

There is no fire risk, that is an old issue with the old fixtures. these are knock offs of the coralife fixtures.

No, theyre not. They ARE coralife fixtures.

Coralife imports stuff from china, and makes almost nothing themselves. Someone else is importing the same fixtures as them.


Just like they were importing the Reef Octopus skimmers for a while.


I wouldnt buy any fixture with PCs in it though, theyre a waste of money.

[joncat24]

I had the 72" version for over a year with absolutely no problems at all. I have 3 friends who also have them, the only problem was one bad pc ballast which was promptly replaced by hombby for no charge. They are quieter than the older ones and very nicely constucted now. I agree with the fact that if you have never had one, don't give reviews on it.
My coral growth was amazing on mine with 3 250 watt 15k's and sunpaq 50/50 pcs. Internal fans kept it cool and ran quiet with not any more noise than a computer fan. Just clean the dust off of them every once in a while and they are fine.
For the money they can't be touched.
I would buy from hombby in a heartbeat again, and would recommend him instead of aquatraders...their customer support is terrible.

Like said b4...don't believe the hype....buy one,,,you will be glad you did and saved enuf to get some more corals....

[boviac]

joncat24,

Thanks for the review on the 72" that's the one I'm would get. Have you used the same lights for over a year?

Was the CF ballast easy to change?

Are the CF connections square or straight?

What's the name on the CF & MH ballasts?

How do the moonlights work for you?

Thanks

[brypink]

WOW...I'm still confused. lol

Thanks everyone for your input. I will definitely look into the fire hazard issue. Should I search "coralife" or these ebay lights (I searched them and nothing came up). Maybe someone would be kind enough to provide a link to the "fire hazard" thread.

joncat24 - Thanks for your input the most. It seems you are the only one that has actually used this particular light (other than maybe Joe, not sure if meant the he has outer oribit or these ebay lights). So, you have not had a problem with them...would you buy them again?

Thanks.

[ahullsb]

I have the outer orbits and love them. 150 watt mh's and t5's. I looked at the coralife also. At the time I wanted something with mh's, t5's and moonlights. This was about the only choice. If the build quality of the light you linked to is supposed to be solid, then do it I guess. But I love the Current fixture and am happy I bought it.

[dhnguyen]

Originally posted by joeycadre
and read up on the fire concerns over those lights as well.

You're right and wrong at the same time.

Fact is ANY magnetic MH ballast used is a potential fire hazard as they all use capacitors that can and DO over time burn out, explode, melt, whatever... Odyssea's older magnetic ballasts weren't the only ones with this problem. I've seen better and much more expensive brand ballasts done the EXACT same thing.

Another fact is that the new Odyssea MH fixture now uses electronic ballasts so the fire risk is now a thing of the past.

[dhnguyen]

Originally posted by boviac
joncat24,

Thanks for the review on the 72" that's the one I'm would get. Have you used the same lights for over a year?

Was the CF ballast easy to change?

Are the CF connections square or straight?

What's the name on the CF & MH ballasts?

How do the moonlights work for you?

Thanks

Can't say for the 72" version but I have the 48" fixture.

PC ballasts are a breeze to switch out but why would you need to unless they weren't working?

The PC bulbs are straight pin

The ballasts have no marking or brand.

Moonlight LEDs work great for me.

If you're considering swaping out the MH ballasts check out http://ballastwise.com they have very decent prices as well

The problem with the MH ballasts is that they have a somewhat low power factor so your bulbs may not burn as bright. This is why many opted to switch them out.

[dhnguyen]

BTW I am putting together a 125g setup and the only reason I didn't buy the 72" Odyssea fixture for it is because I found a used complete MH setup 3X400w SE MH for $180 locally.

As stated before, even if you swap out the PC ballasts, PC bulbs, MH bulbs, AND MH ballasts you will STILL come out way ahead than buying another more expensive brand.

[aninjaatemyshoe]

If you changed out the ballasts and bulbs, why not just build a retrofit? I'm sure that you won't have to spend $260 on the mounts, wiring, and reflectors.

[dhnguyen]

Because some people prefer to have an all in one fixture versus having to build a hood and everything.

[jayvee10]

I have the 36" fixture and it works great my coral and fish loves it. Here is the long thread about the fixture and will help a lot on your decision if you have time to read the entire thread. Very helpful since it is based on actual experiences of people who owns the fixtures. I think the thread split 2 x already
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

[snulma1]

I have the 24" version and LOVE IT!!! The stock bulbs have great color! And they are cheap as well! I think around 25 per bulb! So even if the bulb fades in about 4 months, its not so bad to replace!

The moonlights rock! They give great light to the whole tank! And the internal fan, keeps the fixture only slight warm, but cool enough that if I put my forearm on the fixture it doesn't burn at all!

Def read up on that thread that Jayvee posted and get the right info!

[brypink]

Originally posted by jayvee10
I have the 36" fixture and it works great my coral and fish loves it. Here is the long thread about the fixture and will help a lot on your decision if you have time to read the entire thread. Very helpful since it is based on actual experiences of people who owns the fixtures. I think the thread split 2 x already
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Thanks for the link. I work nights, so I will try to get this all read tonight so I can make an informed decision.

[boviac]

Thanks dhnguyen,

Actually I want Neptune systems' controllable LED moonlights and for less than $100 more I'm planning on getting a retro kit from hellolights. I'm building my own custom canopy. I was interested in access to the ballast since I as going to tear the thing apart. The first PC fixture I bought after 6 months I was changing out the ballasts about every 3-6 months.

[mikedenton49]

I realize this is an old thread, but I will throw in my two cents as I bought one of these units. Specifically, the 72" 3x250watt MH and 4xt5. This unit has performed flawlessly over the last three years with nothing more than bulb changes. So name isn't everything. My coralife unit failed miserably, hence this purchase.


The wiring inside is shoddy at best. But a quick run down and tightening and few fittings and all was well.

Last week however, a MH bulb failed to light. I replaced the lamp, to no avail. I cracked the unit open and found only a large transformer and the capacitor/igniter. Does anyone have a suggestion where the failure occurred??? Perhaps the best replacement parts? I would appreciate any info you can provide.

All in all, it's worth the money. Just one perspective.

[Joe]

Update....Sorry, I thought this thread was regarding Outer Orbit fixture. Please disregard.........

I've been running this fixture since 2007. Zero problems. Yearly bulb changes and it's still as good as the day I unpacked it.

Joe