Impulse Buy Opinions

[Future]

I was roaming the net and landed on an auction site, where I came across the following light...

Obviously I want better, but for the $90 I'm paying I jumped on it. Whatchas think?

ODYSSEA 48" BLACK QUAD Compact Flourescent Fixture48" REEF ODYSSEA 260WT POWER COMPACT
New units have two cooling fans on top for optimal performance, mounting legs and 8-Blue Moon LED lights (4 duals), and 3 power cords for timer use. This unit comes with 4 - 65 Watt bulbs - (2) 12,000K daylight and (2) 03 true actinic. We include all bulbs for free.

I'm still just gathering stuff for now. I have an Odyssea 24" T5 on my 36gal. and I've not had a single problem with it except for one screw that wasn't in all the way and was a simple fix.

Opinions? Thoughts?

[Poseidon]

Are you going to use it for a sump light?

PC bulbs can/will grow most softies, some LPS, and a very few SPS, but they are generally not that great. I had a 48" fixture that used 4 bulbs, it was brighter the NO fluorescents, but only equal to VHO, and no where near T5 or halide.

The shape of the bulbs is the biggest problem, they don't allow for good reflectors.

[Future]

I figured I could add it in addition to some T5's and mainly use it as more of a back-up source if need be.

The whole thing is the wife has a wise variety of corals she likes, and in my mind it never hurts to have too much light as opposed to not enough. And like I said, for a few bucks, It wasn't too bad looking at going prices.

I can fabricate some additional reflectors out of leftover Lux Tin, or have the stock ones dipped into an electrified acid bath that enhances the shine.

[Lucid]

save your cash. I bought a PC fixture, it's nice and very similar to that one, but I will be needing an upgrade to T5 in a few months. I couldn't make up my mind at the time... t5 retro? pc retro? halide??? so I gave in and grabbed a fixture on sale.

geez for $90 though... be perfect for a FOWLR...

[charlie]

save your cash. I bought a PC fixture, it's nice and very similar to that one, but I will be needing an upgrade to T5 in a few months. I couldn't make up my mind at the time... t5 retro? pc retro? halide??? so I gave in and grabbed a fixture on sale.

geez for $90 though... be perfect for a FOWLR...

Nice buy, but I don't think I would throw it over a reef tank. I realize 90 bucks is a steal!!! I agree with Lucid, FOWLR is the way to go with those. Sorry.

[Future]

So then doubling PC's along side T5's isn't a good idea? Call me confused now, but wouldn't it just enhance the lighting for photosynthetic corals? The bulbs in the PC will obviously be changed according to what I need, but this is a thinker now...Hrmmmm

[charlie]

Personally, I think I would have just gotten more T5s. If I am not mistaken they use less power too. Yes they would enhance things, but I think if you put them next to the T5 lights, you will see that there is no comparison.And this is coming from a metal halide guy.

[Poseidon]

CAll me green, BUT... PC is a waste of wattage. You will be paying for light you could get cheaper with all T5. In addition to that, PC bulb choices are getting slimmer and slimmer due to T5's advantages.

As a backup it is great, run it for a few days until you can repair/replace your main unit. OR as a sump light to grow chaeato, or to keep frags alive for a few days until you can sell them.

[ret25yo]

another mention you need to think about.....

price of bulbs:

65w 10k = @25.80 (lowest i could find in 5 min.) x4 = @ 103.20
54w 48" t-5 = 24.95 (highest i could find in 5 min) x4 = @ 99.80

remember t-5's are cheaper to replace and run and keep cool

[Future]

Ok guys I get the ideas..lol It'll be strictly a backup now