yet another lighting question

[7faces]

I have a 72" tank, but i want to do a slide out light fixture, the problem is, with drywall, and wall clearances, i only have about 60 inches of usable space for a light fixture of this type.
can i use a 60" light? (I plan on leaving about 6 inches of space between my sidewalls and rock, for fish to swim behind, so i dont think i would need light to get back there)
also does anyone have expierience with odysea lights?
this is the one under consideration for purchase, can i get some opinions?
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=348

[HaKs310]

The MH ballasts it comes with actually only put out 160W, its just a weak ballast. A lot of people replace them with CoralVue or IceCap ballasts which run around $120 each. You will also have to replace the bulbs as the ones in comes with arent that great, low PAR ratings.

[7faces]

yeah, i figured the bulbs would be lacking a little. i like the hood, and the price, but if i have to replace everything, it may not be such a deal...
my tank is'nt even set up yet, and i wonder if that would be enough to get me going untill i could afford the upgrades, instead of DIY'n a complete hood from the start.
how are the CF ballasts?..are they ok?

[HaKs310]

The hood and price are great. The MH ballast and bulbs suck though.
It's more than enough to get you going, save up some money while you cycle your tank and replace the ballasts...save some more money the following month and get the bulbs. You can even do a bulb/ballast swap a month to spread costs out a bit more. The CF ballasts and bulbs are good to go so no worries.

[7faces]

Great, thanks for the advice, maybe while my tank cycles, I'll just pick up a couple 50/50 bulbs to help the coraline, and just do like you said, and upgrade as the tank progresses and I start to get into more extravagant corals... I can even do one set (ballast and bulb) and just place any corals that need intense light under the one i replace... great food for thought, thanks again!

[HaKs310]

Sounds like a good idea. You'll be able to see the big difference the ballast makes after you swap one out. Keep your calcium in check so the coraline can really flourish.

[7faces]

Well, now I've gone and read all kinds of bad things about these lights..including but not limited to fires..
the fires seemed to be from the older mag ballasts, and i think they use electronic now. But, from what im hearing, they use substandard wiring, and the cheapest components known to man...now im wondering if i should even waste my time and money...
o well, i guess ill build the canopy and think about it for a while..
Thanks for the replies tho!

[archer772]

Well, now I've gone and read all kinds of bad things about these lights..including but not limited to fires..
the fires seemed to be from the older mag ballasts, and i think they use electronic now. But, from what im hearing, they use substandard wiring, and the cheapest components known to man...now im wondering if i should even waste my time and money...
o well, i guess ill build the canopy and think about it for a while..
Thanks for the replies tho!

Well glad you did some reserch on those lights. I tried a Odyssea once and I will never get another one, it didnt catch fire but the bulbs were junk the ballast crapped out within 8 months and it was real hot. Look at it this way if you buy it then replace the ballasts and bulbs you will probably have the same into it as you would into a good retro kit and not have to worry about it

[7faces]

exactly... Ill probably end up doing a custom set...Grrrr.. might as well, everything else on this build has been built be me...now if i can just find some inexpensive polished aluminum sheet....