The Fonz

Hey I'm looking for metal halides but i cant find any in my price range. I need a 48" fixture. Anyone ever try the cheap no-name halides on ebay or Odyssea fixtures? Thanks

harpua2002

I'd stay away from Jebo or Odyssea fixtures. I've read many posts where the fans or ballasts fail after just months of use, or worse, the fixture catches on fire! I still don't think they are even UL listed.

As with everything else in this hobby, I firmly believe you get what you pay for.

Angela_96

I agree, I hate to say it but go with the name brands. It will be worth it in the long run.

The Fonz

http://www.zsaurora.com/Product_pages/mhadv.html
Same thoughts on this light? Its pretty cheap.

Hypnox

Check Ebay regularly for known good name brands. It's the cheapest you're going to get for aquarium MH lighting and still get good quality. Only buy from very well rated sellers that have tons of reviews.

fishrule101

Drsfostersmith.com have some. They are in the $200-$800 range. This one seems cheap.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=12780

au01st

You don't want to skimp on lighting. If you're getting halides I assume you're planning a reef setup with some SPS and clams, otherwise they'd be unnecessary. Some corals will go for $20-$100 a frag. The money you save on buying a no-name light fixture is a drop in the bucket compared to what you will spend on corals (if you get the kind that need halides in the first place). Have you looked into T5 fixtures? I have a 4x54 T5 setup on my 75 and it can sustain SPS on the sandbed (notice I didn't say grow), and they will grow nicely 1/2 way up the tank. T5 will run cooler than MH and you will be less likely to need a chiller.

sgould

I agree on the T-5s...they can be a perfectly workable alternative to MH as long as your tank is not too deep. 24" or less is what you commonly hear referenced. As au01st mentioned, you can also improve your results by placing your corals higher up in the tank.