The Cheapest Mh Bulbs I Have Ever Seen!!!!

[Reefinator]

I have my used 10k bulb that I had in for about 5 months or so. It still works fine, I could send it out to Whiskey for testing as I'm curious about the results myself. Whiskey, PM me your address and I'll get it out to you.

[TahoeMtn]

I am on my fourth set of the "Low cost" bulbs on EBay. I replace after 8 months just because "you are supposed to" they were still bright and good color but I don't have a meter to test them. I figured for $10 each every 6-8 months is good. I bought two 250 watt electronic ballasts that each light 2 bulbs for a little over $100 each also and the first one failed after 2 1/2 years, the other is still going 3 years later. The new style has a cooling fan and is about the same price. That is not a real long time,but the price fits my budget. So I guess I would have to ask those of you that have spent a lot more to light one MH. How long has yours lasted?
Many times an item that is made for a "luxury item" has a price to go with it. I work in the pool and spa industry and I can buy a part at the hardware store for a bunch less than the "Wholesale supplier of spa parts" sells it for.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

good point TahoeMtn.
I think I may pick up a couple bulbs, see how they are. $20 for 2... can't go wrong. Worst case scenario... am out $20! lol

[DarthOcellaris]

I stay away from ebay as much as possible. I have been burned a few times and the vendors are just idiots on there.

I remember ebay when it first launched and it aint NOTHING like it once was.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

I stay away from ebay as much as possible. I have been burned a few times and the vendors are just idiots on there.

I remember ebay when it first launched and it aint NOTHING like it once was.

I have made a few purchases off of ebay, never had a problem. Though I do research and background check anyone that I am dealing with.
I do know people who have been burned through ebay.

[Reefinator]

I tend to disagree with DarthOcellaris, I am a powerseller on Ebay and have had my share of poor experiences but it was my own fault for not doing the research first. Yes, there are many morons out there that don't have a clue, but there are also many people selling there that are more than willing to help you out if you have questions or offer decent return policies. I will say this though, I almost never buy anything for my tank off of Ebay...aside from the MH bulbs.

[saltysupply]

they are probaly similar to the home depot bulbs...I would'nt recommend them, more like street light bulbs

[[WDT]TardFarmer]

This is one of the sellers on Ebay. Check his review section there is a huge thread on Reef Central.

http://www.reefopticslighting.com/index.php

[silvers]

They are not similar to industral bulbs or home depot bulbs these are good quality and as far as PAR goes the 10k pulse right 9.99 bulbs have 3 points less par than 10k XM and the 14k has higher PAR than the 3mo. old hamiltions I am running now I just dont like the color of the of the 14k pulseright as much as I do the hamilton will post pics after work

[racerw]

Originally Posted by Reefinator

If you put my bulb next to a Coralife I bet you couldn't tell the difference...aside from the price tag.

The Coralife's are made in China. Who's to say its not the same maker, but do you really want to chance it. If it burns/ruins the thousands you spent on coral, is it worth the few bucks saved?

If you knew for sure it was the same bulb then I would use them. Never know from products made in china.

My $.02
Eddie

[tashier]

Hey, I'd say give them a try. No reason to be prejudice because the bulbs are cheap. XM's were cheap too once right? Now they are the most popular bulb out there.

[DevilBoy]

i wouldnt do it. but that is your decision not mine. There are some aspects of running a reef system that should not be skimped on and lighting is one. I would not skimp on reef lighting or a skimmer, thats my 2 cents

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by silvers

I have ordered the 9.99 pulseright bulbs from ebay the 10k and 14k and I have to say I WOW. best 40.00 I have spent these are quality bulbs just as good as many 90.00 bulbs.

Could yu get a PAR meter (the ARC has one that your can borrow for a deposit) and post us the values at the surface in air ( 6"placement from the surface), under 1" of water, and under 6" of water directy under the bulb? I see where there are a number of recyclers that go to industries that are shutting down and pay to remove their MH bulbs as the facility goes fallow. If this is the source, then some of the bulbs may be a bit old, but for most bulbs, their lifespan is useful up to ~70% of the total lighted lifespan for our purposes ( i.e., in spectrum and intensity, see the Phillips site and the magnetek site for more information on this, I think Sanjay may have a page of info on this as well). It would help to know their actual K color and their PAR mesurements when first installed in your system and another test at 100 hrs and several monthly test thereafter to truly be able to evaluate the bulbs from this source.

JM2cw

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Will see what I do when the time aproaches.

[dsiu25]

any recent updates?/ pics? still interested in trying some ebay lights.