Great Light, But is it Worth It?

Aurora D. · 01/18/2009, 08:20 PM

I just found this light: http://cgi.ebay.com/30-380W-Metal-Ha...3A1%7C294%3A50 on ebay, and thought it was a phenomonal deal. Is it too good to be true? Also, do you think my 20 gallon long tank with a 15 gallon sump would overheat even if I placed lots of fans, and had a high target temperature, like 80-83 degrees? Thanks!!

cham · 01/18/2009, 08:26 PM

I'd jump on that. Even if it only lasts 2 years it would be worth it. Buy another one in 2 years.

And it comes with bulbs too????

Wow

greenmonkey51 · 01/18/2009, 08:41 PM

Save your money and get a good fixture. Buy from respected brands like Icecap.

noahm · 01/18/2009, 08:42 PM

looks like an oddysea brand sometimes sold generic. I have one of the 48" and it works great. There is a whole thread on here about the oddyssea fixtures. The known issue is the MH ballast is underdriven and I (and many others) have replaced with and Icecap or equivalent with much improvement. I would read the oddysea thread if you can find it w/search. It is long, but informative. Even with upgrades, an equivalent unit would be 50% more. I have no complaints w/mine.

Juruense · 01/18/2009, 08:43 PM

Stay away from CF bulbs... Also, that is a lot of light over a 20 long... I would not do it.

Aurora D. · 01/18/2009, 08:43 PM

Uh-Oh, conflicting answers. I guess I'll wait and see what others say. If it is true though, I'm still worried about the heat.

BTW: Will acrylic bond to glass with slicone, because I heard it won't?

cham · 01/18/2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noahm
looks like an oddysea brand sometimes sold generic. I have one of the 48" and it works great. There is a whole thread on here about the oddyssea fixtures. The known issue is the MH ballast is underdriven and I (and many others) have replaced with and Icecap or equivalent with much improvement. I would read the oddysea thread if you can find it w/search. It is long, but informative. Even with upgrades, an equivalent unit would be 50% more. I have no complaints w/mine.

Since the tank is a 20g I don't think that being non overdriven is an issue.

I've seen some incredible tanks with super strong lighting that I'd never think was right to put over a tank. These guys with 400 watters on small tanks have AMAZING corals.

Aurora D. · 01/18/2009, 08:48 PM

What do you mean by underdriven? Does that mean the output is reduced? If so, by how much?

cham · 01/18/2009, 08:51 PM

Yes, output is lower on underdriven bulbs. Not a concern for a 20g tank IMHO

Aurora D. · 01/18/2009, 09:00 PM

Ok, that's good. One more question, on the oddyssea forum I read something about the fan being noisy. Are there any problems with the fan? I'm also still wondering about overheating. Thanks everybody!!!

conjuay · 01/18/2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aurora D.
Ok, that's good. One more question, on the oddyssea forum I read something about the fan being noisy. Are there any problems with the fan? I'm also still wondering about overheating. Thanks everybody!!!

I own four Oddysea 48" fixtures. I'm constantly wetting my finger and putting it over the fan casings to make sure they are running!
So, in a word, no. If threr are complaints about noisey fans, it is more likely that something is stuck to one of the fan blades and causing the fan to run out of balance.

redfishsc · 01/18/2009, 10:18 PM

I suspect overheating will be an issue. Personally over a 20, I'd put a TEK light T5HO (4X24). You will be able to grow whatever you want in that, so long as you get one with reflectors.

96W of T5 will be a LOT.... a LOT nicer on your electric bill than that 380W electricity hog. Personally I doubt that you will get that much more nicer of coral growth/looks (aside from the typical MH vs. T5 debate).

Fans on cheaper models tend to be noisy. I have a Nova Extreme 4X24 that is a "mid range" in price and the fan is noisier than I'd like.

As an aside..... you asked about silicone and glass/acrylic bonds. Wont' work. While it will "hold" the acrylic still, silicone does not bond well to acrylic. I don't know of anything that will bond acrylic to glass enough for me to trust as a weight-bearing joint.

Aurora D. · 01/18/2009, 10:27 PM

Hmm, I guess you're right redfishsc. The T-5's will probably be cheaper in the long run. I could always upgrade anyways. I just have one very last question. When making sumps, what's an alternative to using both an acrylic tank and acrylic baffles, and bubble towers? Would plexi-glass bond to the glass with silicone? Input would be very, very helpful here!!

01/18/2009, 08:20 PM	#1
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Great Light, But is it Worth It? I just found this light: http://cgi.ebay.com/30-380W-Metal-Ha...3A1%7C294%3A50 on ebay, and thought it was a phenomonal deal. Is it too good to be true? Also, do you think my 20 gallon long tank with a 15 gallon sump would overheat even if I placed lots of fans, and had a high target temperature, like 80-83 degrees? Thanks!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

01/18/2009, 08:43 PM	#6
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Uh-Oh, conflicting answers. I guess I'll wait and see what others say. If it is true though, I'm still worried about the heat. BTW: Will acrylic bond to glass with slicone, because I heard it won't? __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

01/18/2009, 08:48 PM	#8
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	What do you mean by underdriven? Does that mean the output is reduced? If so, by how much? __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

01/18/2009, 09:00 PM	#10
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, that's good. One more question, on the oddyssea forum I read something about the fan being noisy. Are there any problems with the fan? I'm also still wondering about overheating. Thanks everybody!!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

01/18/2009, 10:18 PM	#12
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	I suspect overheating will be an issue. Personally over a 20, I'd put a TEK light T5HO (4X24). You will be able to grow whatever you want in that, so long as you get one with reflectors. 96W of T5 will be a LOT.... a LOT nicer on your electric bill than that 380W electricity hog. Personally I doubt that you will get that much more nicer of coral growth/looks (aside from the typical MH vs. T5 debate). Fans on cheaper models tend to be noisy. I have a Nova Extreme 4X24 that is a "mid range" in price and the fan is noisier than I'd like. As an aside..... you asked about silicone and glass/acrylic bonds. Wont' work. While it will "hold" the acrylic still, silicone does not bond well to acrylic. I don't know of anything that will bond acrylic to glass enough for me to trust as a weight-bearing joint. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

01/18/2009, 08:26 PM	#2
cham Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 3,632	I'd jump on that. Even if it only lasts 2 years it would be worth it. Buy another one in 2 years. And it comes with bulbs too???? Wow

01/18/2009, 08:41 PM	#3
greenmonkey51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	Save your money and get a good fixture. Buy from respected brands like Icecap.

01/18/2009, 08:42 PM	#4
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	looks like an oddysea brand sometimes sold generic. I have one of the 48" and it works great. There is a whole thread on here about the oddyssea fixtures. The known issue is the MH ballast is underdriven and I (and many others) have replaced with and Icecap or equivalent with much improvement. I would read the oddysea thread if you can find it w/search. It is long, but informative. Even with upgrades, an equivalent unit would be 50% more. I have no complaints w/mine.

01/18/2009, 08:43 PM	#5
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Stay away from CF bulbs... Also, that is a lot of light over a 20 long... I would not do it.

01/18/2009, 08:51 PM	#9
cham Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 3,632	Yes, output is lower on underdriven bulbs. Not a concern for a 20g tank IMHO

01/18/2009, 10:27 PM	#13
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Hmm, I guess you're right redfishsc. The T-5's will probably be cheaper in the long run. I could always upgrade anyways. I just have one very last question. When making sumps, what's an alternative to using both an acrylic tank and acrylic baffles, and bubble towers? Would plexi-glass bond to the glass with silicone? Input would be very, very helpful here!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!