[FishyFishy89]

I'd love your experience on these light fixtures
48" Aquarium T5 HO Light 54W 6500K X2 Plant Daylight Fish Odyssea CE | eBay
48" 108W Aquarium Light Dual Fluorescent T5 HO Strip Hood Freshwater Plant 6700K | eBay

I'd love to know what size you have, on what tank, how long you've had it and if you changed out the stock bulbs shortly after you got it.

I am very much on the fence about this product, especially since there have been some reviews about it catching fire.

Thanks much!

 

[Flint]

I am very much on the fence about this product, especially since there have been some reviews about it catching fire.

I know this is no joke, but I have to say it made me giggle! I hope someone comes along to help soon.

 

[Flear]

i've got an Odysea light fixure, a T5HO, 4 bulb fixture

i've had it about 1.5 years, the bulbs are far beyond time to be replaced, one is lighting, but not providing sufficient light

it's cheap, ... but cheap enough that replacement bulbs are about the same price as the whole fixture (i got it from aquatraders so prices may differ)

it's cheap enough it was worth it for me
the light fixture i have has the ballasts separate, the light fixture itself runs cool enough, ... it's rather warm, but not uncomfortably warm after running all day.

the ballasts i have sitting on the floor, (totally unsafe if your the worrying type) i don't know if they get too warm, i think they're acceptable, but haven't felt them.

i'm happy with the money i have spent.

i am currently looking at other light fixtures, outside of the aquarium hobby from gardening and hydroponics, costs are about 1/2 of the major brands for aquarium lights, comparable with these cheap ones from Odysea (cost only), and better quality with shaped reflectors, ...

hard part is finding ones i can get delivered with affordable shipping to where i live

but, to your question about what i have experienced.
the bulbs are overdue to be replaced,
one of the bulbs is shot and giving negligable light. this happened within ... i'm guessing around 6-9mo mark.
cheap equipment is not expected to last, ... but still 4 replacement quality bulbs are going to cost me as much as the total i payed for the light fixture itself.

in my mind this is worth it.

 

[cwmorrow]

I have two of the 36" Odyseas, and a 48" reef fixture.
They are great. Best fresh water plant lights I've had.
The 48" is the only reef light I've had, so I can't compare it to anything for you.
Their is a thin plastic section instead of glass covering the tubes that appears cheap, but I've had no problems.

 

[FishyFishy89]

I decided to not purchase these fixtures because of the reviews reporting of fires. I am just not willing to take that risk.
I thoroughly appreciate the experiences and opinions given. <3

 

[Agent13]

i've got an Odysea light fixure, a T5HO, 4 bulb fixture

i've had it about 1.5 years, the bulbs are far beyond time to be replaced, one is lighting, but not providing sufficient light
.

I must point out.. If you have plants optimal light for them is too low at 6months from any t8 bulb or t5HO or regular t5. Visible light and usable light are very different. So far LED is the only one i know of that lats that long

 

[FishyFishy89]

I must point out.. If you have plants optimal light for them is too low at 6months from any t8 bulb or t5HO or regular t5. Visible light and usable light are very different. So far LED is the only one i know of that lats that long

I'd like to make a note of my experience with plants so far. It's only been a year since I've started exploring planted tanks. But my T8s are a little year old now and my plants are STILL growing like weeds.

 

[Agent13]

I'd like to make a note of my experience with plants so far. It's only been a year since I've started exploring planted tanks. But my T8s are a little year old now and my plants are STILL growing like weeds.

That surely can happen. But the UV of the light deteriorates badly by 6months. UV meters will show you. I have to moniter this closely with my reptiles. After 6months give or take there are defficiencies your plants are experiencing

 

[FishyFishy89]

That surely can happen. But the UV of the light deteriorates badly by 6months. UV meters will show you. I have to moniter this closely with my reptiles. After 6months give or take there are defficiencies your plants are experiencing

I would think that if there was deficiencies, my plants wouldn't be growing like weeds.
Also, I'm not saying I would keep my bulbs beyond this point. I am actually going to be purchasing new bulbs tomorrow. I'll see the lighting difference there.

 

[Agent13]

I would think that if there was deficiencies, my plants wouldn't be growing like weeds.
Also, I'm not saying I would keep my bulbs beyond this point. I am actually going to be purchasing new bulbs tomorrow. I'll see the lighting difference there.

Great plan.. And plants are more forgiving then animals.