Odyssea PC 198 watt 36 inch.

Does anyone use this item or have any idea of how well it works. Seems like a good deal, but never know until you already bought the damn thing..

Aquarium Lightings - Power Compact Lighting

Thanks,
Chuck

 

never used there power compact fixtures but i have used there halide and t5 ones. they were a dissapointment at best.

 

dont do it!.. i made that mistake.. it may be cheap but its cause there bulbs suck! The actinics are not real actinics and are just blue colored bulbs. The day light bulbs are so so and are decent but not for being the 12000k thats a big joke. The fixture i heard of the 36" is also the one that has the most problems because the bulbs used in it are not standard sized bulbs and the only ones that fit in it are the odysea brand bulbs. I had the 48" one and i just replaced my bulbs without a problem. But that one i hear you cant replace the bulbs in it.

 

well thats two NO right off the bat.. i guess ill look elsewhere.

 

It depends on what you want to keep. If you want a FO tank.....it's OK. But almost all of us, at one point or another, decide to expand into corals, and that's where these fixtures tend to falter. Now, it is possible to keep softies and some LPS. I have done that under my PCs for the past year. But you soon tire of the limitations. My two fixtures that I run are Jebo and Odyssea. I would not purchase either again.

Now....here it comes....the medium priced (although it seems expensive...it's not) alternative. Take a look at these. They are TEKs. A great T5 set up. You need to buy the legs and splash guard separately, but the link provided reflects a price where bulbs are included. They are high quality UVLs. And the brand of bulb you buy makes a difference.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__4x39W_Tek_Light_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

I am assuming you are outfitting your 30g.

 

That seems like a good product.

and Yes I am setting up my 30 gal. I have an empty tank, stand, materials to build sump. I probably will not need lights for about 3-4 weeks while it is cycling, so I have time to shop around. Thanks for the Help!