CORALIFE v ODYSSEA power compact lighting

Throwing that power compact fixture in the trash and buying/building an LED fixture...Priceless
(actually quite a bit of money for the LED fixture)

But power compacts are about the worst lights you can put over your aquarium, while it's time to buy new bulbs, I'd factor in the incremental cost in just buying a different fixture!

 

I have had the Odyssea bulbs and hated them... Spend the extra cash and be happy..

 

I have an odyssea t5 and changed the bulbs. Fixture is ok but bulbs are really bad.

 

Adam makes a good point. Power Compacts are probably not the best option to reinvest back into. Surprisingly though, I had an odyssea metal halide/ power compact fixture and I actually liked the odyssea actinic blue compact fluorescent bulbs. It took a bit of getting used to as they weren't what you normally see in the hobby as far as actinics go (the purplish/black light look). They still brought out the colors in the corals and made them glow but gave more of a natural 'deep water' blue glow rather than that purple/blacklight feel. To each his own though.

 

double post

 

triple post

 

get the kessil a350... it will pay for itself in bulb replacement... it covers about 24sq in.

 

i keep my old pc around in case one of my led's die, or untill a noobe needs a starter light... i wish someone would take the damn thing. lol

 

I have found the bulbs are fine, but need replacing in around 6 Months. The fixtures are great for the Money you save. Keep the bulbs if you buy new fixture, but buy another brand if you want to buy new and have them last longer. This is of course T5 bulbs. As for the PC I would buy a new fixture. you can buy a 36" 4bulb T5 plus moon lights for 110.00 on ebay and a 48" for around 140.00 for the same and both have built in timers.  This is link is to one that I just bought..http://www.ebay.com/itm/300694028781?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
If you are still bent on PC then head to Sea of Marvel. He had all kinds of PC new on his shelf.

 

Had t5 it was good but bulbs awful. Do not buy the mh fixture i got screwed and it shorted out.

 

Had t5 it was good but bulbs awful. Do not buy the mh fixture i got screwed and it shorted out.

 

IMO Best bang for your bucks is the AI sol blues. I have 2 over my 90 and could not be happier.