Upgrading my Odyssea PC fixture

I am considering upgrading my Odyssea PC fixture (48", 4 bulb). My question is what retrofit products would fit in this fixture? Would a 4 bulb T5 fit, or would I need to use only a 2 bulb? Has anyone done this before with this fixture, and what did you use? (and were you happy with the results?).

 

Bump

 

I've got the smaller, 24" 2 bulb fixture...
I pulled it apart, replaced the ballasts, and changed bulbs. One of the easier things I've done.
I think with a little work, a 4x54 t5 setup would be very doable with your fixture.
Personally, I feel any electronic T5 ballast will do... If it has a name brand on it that is. Stay away from the ones coming from China that have never been heard of. I'm running Advance brand ballasts, and I've installed them in my girlfriends 110 setup which is doing great as well.

Good luck!

 

Why do you want to retro them into the fixture? I suppose so you don't need to build a frame for the actual retro, no? Well since I have never been close enough to a Odysea to see what inside, in fear they will start on fire, what are the dimensions you can work with? You will need inside width, length and height. I am sure its feasible but might not be worth it...
What do you plan on keeping in the tank?
Looks like from your sig you already have 4 T5 lamps? What kind are they? And you must have a tight squeeze with two fixtures on a 18" wide tank unless they are both thin..

8 lamps would be ideal for a 90 but 6 would also be great... 6 lamps with good reflectors and lamps will allow you to grow pretty much anything..

Is there anyway you can take a pic of the fixture to see what you would be gutting?

 

Thanks for your reply dr frag. The reason I want to replace the PCs is that they just don't give off as much light as T5s. And when the time comes to replace the bulbs, I am not sure I want to waste money on PC bulbs when T5 work so much better.

Having said that, with my current 4 T5 bulbs and 4 PC bulbs I have not had trouble keeping my softies and LPS alive. My acro and monticap are doing ok, but not thriving.

I am at work now, so I don't have the dimensions of the odyssea fixture. But I can try to snap a pic for you later.

 

Great... If I can see the housing I could potentially come up with something that will fit

 

I have 4x65 pc and 4x54 T5 HO both by Odyssea ....

Both light cases are the same... You can not tell the cases apart..
So it is doable with the right stuff.. I run both sets on a custom size 60 gal..
And the T5's seem to run cooler then the PC's..

Good Luck, Larry

 

Keep us posted. I'm curious what ballasts your planning on using.