XM vs Hamy vs EVC vs Radium

[northbay-reefer]

I have been looking at alot of lights lately and even trying out osme halide bulbs from Ebay, the Ebay ones are great but I dont have graph for them yet.

Take a look at these two graphs, if you are using single bulbs(250 watt halide SE), the EVC looks very promissing

this is the hamy vs EVC

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/northbay-reefer/hamyevc.jpg

This is the XM vs EVC

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/northbay-reefer/XMEVC.jpg

As you can see the EVC has the same color characteristis of the XM and is almost as bright as the Hamy. Plus it has a spike at the 400 range to help POP the color of the corals out better.

And the best part is the EVC is selling for only $49 at Oceanencounter.com

[northbay-reefer]

now look at the EVC vs the Radium bulb

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/northbay-reefer/RadiumEVC.jpg

The brightness is the same, par is the same, but I think the EVC will look alot better than the radium. The radium cost $90 and last for only 6 months vs the EVC costing only $49 and last much longer according to users reviews.

[jkreefer]

What about the bulbs you just got?

[northbay-reefer]

The bulb that I just got is great, but I dont have any result for it yet. Supposingly the next reefkeeper magazine will have reveiws for them.

But the only thing that am afraid off is the supplies, Ebay is not a reliable source to get your bulbs consistently so I had to find a different bulb that is more readily available .... just incase ;) :D

[northbay-reefer]

OK I just did a quick search and here is the reefoptics guys new store. This is great news

http://server.batoninc.com/~reefopti/bulbs.html

[crispyreef]

What bulb did you get? I thought the bulb on the left was an EVC. Whatever it is, it looks great and if it is up there with XM and radiums, I am sold. And it is cheaper! Thanks Tom.

[northbay-reefer]

Chris, the bulb on the left side of my tank that you saw was the reefoptics 20k, the seller used to sell it on ebay but he has his own website now, the link is listed above and he sells his bulb for $35

He does do group buy so we should check into that

[corndogg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9310058#post9310058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by northbay-reefer
OK I just did a quick search and here is the reefoptics guys new store. This is great news

http://server.batoninc.com/~reefopti/bulbs.html


Hey Tom,

Did you notice that that guy's websites banner is a picutre from Steve Ruddy's personal tank?

[corndogg]

I'm in for a group buy

[northbay-reefer]

Jasson haha thats funnie I didnt notice it until you point it out to me :D :D I'll email him on the possibility of a group buy and will let everyone know.

[sulcata1619]

I need to come look at your bukb Tom. If its as good as you say Im in for three. Do you think it would look good with three 20K
or should i go with a 14K in the middle.

[northbay-reefer]

Mike am assuming you want the 175 watt version right ?

I have heard the 14k are very nice too with a hint of blue ... so having it in the middle would work great

[northbay-reefer]

ok here is a picture of the EVC vs the Phoenix running HQI ballast

The EVC is single ended and the phoenix is double ended and shielded

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/northbay-reefer/EVCphoenixHQI.jpg

[crispyreef]

Count me in on a group buy. I want two.

[northbay-reefer]

Cool, I am still trying to get a hold of him. I think he is busy puting together his business and building up his inventory. But depending on the price, I will either in for 2 or 5 more.

[northbay-reefer]

I just Spoke to Wes and he only has 10k and 20k bulbs available.

ok so far I got:

Jasson 3 250watt 20k SE
Tom 2 250watt 20k SE
Chris 2 250watt 20k SE
Mike 3 175watt 20k SE

for a total of 10 bulbs. Anyone else want to join in ?

[jkreefer]

put me in for 3 250w 20k SE

[northbay-reefer]

update

Jasson 3 250watt 20k SE
Tom 2 250watt 20k SE
Chris 2 250watt 20k SE
Mike 3 175watt 20k SE
Jeff 3 250 watt 20k SE

total 13 bulbs

[coralfarmer]

put me down for 2 175watt 20k

[northbay-reefer]

update

Jasson 3 250watt 20k SE
Tom 2 250watt 20k SE
Chris 2 250watt 20k SE
Mike 3 175watt 20k SE
Jeff 3 250 watt 20k SE
James 2 175 watt 20k

total 15 bulbs

[northbay-reefer]

update

Jasson 3 250watt 20k SE
Tom 2 250watt 20k SE
Chris 2 250watt 20k SE
Mike 3 175watt 20k SE
Jeff 3 250 watt 20k SE


total 13 bulbs

[northbay-reefer]

Ok guys, I just PMed you the price of the bulb, please send your paypal directly to him and maybe we can have him ship it to me and you guys can come by and pick it up. Or someone can be brave and pay for the whole thing, have it ship to you and we will pay you back :D :D

[sulcata1619]

I'm fine with paying for my own through paypal. Or Jason do you mind paying for mine and I can bring you cash on Thursday? Gotta keep the purchase on the down low.

[corndogg]

I got you covered Mike. Tom when are you planning on completing the order. I can come by your place with the cash on tuesday or wednesday.

Jason

[northbay-reefer]

Jasson, Tonight sounds good, I just did my first redbug treatment this morning so the bonsai is ready for you to pickup too.

I like to get the payment done tonight or sometime this week if possible.

[northbay-reefer]

Jeff and Chris, please chime in as to what you guy are going to do so I can get this order finish, you can bring the cash by or I can front you the money, please let me know ... thanks

[crispyreef]

Can I bring by the cash Wed.? If you need it sooner, let me know.

[northbay-reefer]

Wed is fine Chris, just let me know what time and I'll make sure to be home for you

[jkreefer]

tomorrow night also if thats okay (Wed)

[northbay-reefer]

jeff no problem, I'll go ahead and place the order

[sulcata1619]

Tom I will bring you the cash Wed. night also. around 8 or so. is that cool. I'll most likely call first because i will be coming straight from work.

[northbay-reefer]

thats cool mike

[northbay-reefer]

update:

I place the order for the 13 bulbs this morning, the deal we got was $30 per bulb and free shipping. Wes will ship the bulbs to me and when I receive them I will let everyone know to come by and pick them up. At this price it is well worth the try. I am using one of these bulb right now ( for 3 weeks now) and it is coloring up real nice, the corals flourescent much more than the XM 20k and it is also much brighter(every one have seen it except for Mike). Longevity wise I dont know but if it last for 6 months then it will worth every penny.

[northbay-reefer]

ok the order went through and here is the message from Wes

Hello Tom, I have received the payment. This is what I will be shipping.
Jasson 3 250watt 20k SE
Tom 2 250watt 20k SE
Chris 2 250watt 20k SE
Mike 3 175watt 20k SE
Jeff 3 250 watt 20k SE

It will go out first thing in the morning. You will receive a confirmation shortly from USPS.com. Thanks again and let me know what everyone thinks of them. Thanks again, Wes

[northbay-reefer]

The bulbs are here .... come and get it :D :D

[corndogg]

Filter bags will be here tomorrow according to UPS. So I will most likely see you tomorrow sometime Tom. I can probably drop off the bags at your house since everyone lives close to you.

[northbay-reefer]

Jasson, sure no prob. See you soon