Is this HQI still worth getting?

Aquactinic reflectors $24.00 x 8= $192.00
End Caps $9.00 x8 = $72.00
End Brackets $5.00 x8= $40.00
IC Wiring- $27.00 x2= $54.00
IC Plug- $6.00 x2= $12.00
Good bulbs $20 to $25 x8
= $550 or more....

Sound about right??

 

If you want to do more research on the Odyssea's, I bought my unit from this guy on Ebay......
hombby

If he doesnt have any units for sale, contact him and ask him. Otherwise, you can get them at www.aquatraders.com

Good luck Luna

 

Luna,

Do you have the Odyssea's HQI? I have always been worried because they are not UL listed. (don't want to burn down the house)
I had a Jebo (same company) HOB skimmer when I first started and the power head it came with started a fire in my tank and killed everything (under water.. yes) It was only about a month old.
So I have been worried about them ever since....

John

 

Yes, remember.....

From the looks of your avatar, your a handy kind of guy. Have you considered Odyssea light fixtures? I paid $329.00 shipped for a 48" dual 250w HQI DE MH's, dual 96w PC actinics, 6 lunar lights and 5 separate power cords. Of course, that was almost 3 yrs ago so the price might have increased a little. I replace the 2 cheap internal cooling fans with 4 fans and I have also replaced the stock ballasts. So as of now, I have spent...
1. $329.
2. $20. Fans
3. $260. 2 ballasts
For a grand total of $609.00. Thats still not bad and the unit is still working(knocking on wood). And you dont have to replace the ballast if you dont want to. Food for thought.

 

Wheres your ballast price? Stand offs? And also what is the IC wiring and plug? You can get an extension cord from the hardware store and cut that and use it, 18 gauge I believe... Maybe 16. Also IC wiring, go get wire from the HW store for like $.46 a foot!
Endcaps,
standoffs,
ballasts,
SLRs,
lamps.....

 

I did not include the IC 660 Ballast price I guess because I already purchased 2.
Forgot about Standoffs....
Now I just wish I would have saved and bought a complete light...lol

 

Just seems like a lot of work for a little bit more get a finished one... I don't know it is hard....

 

Its not hard at all, all you need to do is cut and splice and connect(internal fans). The ballasts are plug and play. You can do this with your eyes closed.


Luna

 

What ballast did you go with?
Could you then use other hqi bulbs of better quality than odyssea?
What brand fans?

Sorry you have me thinking?

 

I can tell you personally I saved BIG TIME with a retro over a fixture and it performs just as well if not better than most.