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dmbedard
02/13/2006, 12:32 PM
Has anyone ever dealt with Aquarium Lights on line? They offer a "german made" 250 w, 14k metal halide bulb for $47.99 + $8.80 shipping. Seems like a good deal if it's a good bulb.

I need to get new bulbs for my setup - 2 x 250 w mh, 14k and 2 x 100 vho actinics. Any suggestions on where to go for the best $$?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Diane

reefrubble
02/13/2006, 01:08 PM
Diane,I don't what to tell you there. I'm going to have to change some bulbs soon,so I'm going to have to shop around. I also need to up my water movement,but I want to see what the new Ice Cap Vortech is going to be like. Let me know what you find out. Ted

robthorn
02/13/2006, 02:57 PM
whats the brand of bulbs?

dmbedard
02/13/2006, 04:46 PM
They do not list the name
http://cgi.ebay.com/250-watt-14k-10k-20k-metal-halide-bulb-light-NEW_W0QQitemZ7742472792QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/250-W-14-000-K-Aquarium-Metal-Halide-Bulb-Probe-start_W0QQitemZ7743269198QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem

are my choices...

LMK what you think, please.

dmbedard
02/13/2006, 04:51 PM
Other choices:

http://cgi.ebay.com/250-WATT-METAL-HALIDE-14K-AQUARIUM-LIGHT-BULB_W0QQitemZ7732775435QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/CORALVUE-250watt-14k-Metal-Halide-bulb-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ7730430992QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem

robthorn
02/13/2006, 05:55 PM
catalina aquarium reef grow bulbs. I cannot say what to do. I find only 1 bad thing but no reason. they just said not to buy them but who knows why? only good I found was they are for sale at several places and it looks like you found the best deal on them but everywhere including the catalinaaquarium.com online store has them listed as 10k 15k and 20k. if it's 15 the blue spike found in most 14k bulbs may not be there. phoenix are good I hear. but I run t5's now what do I know about the latest and greatest. hamiltons are cheaper than some but not as great of color as phoenix/aquaconnects.

dmbedard
02/13/2006, 06:33 PM
Thanks for your input Rob. If anyone else has input I would appreciate it.

Diane

reefrubble
02/13/2006, 06:41 PM
Diane,I was planing on trying the Aqua Cool Lamps. I think they are made in China,not sure if that means anything. Some people knock any bulb made in China,with out even trying them. Ted

glyle41
02/13/2006, 06:48 PM
ive got my new 400 watt 10k xms and love them but then again i wasnt looking for blue light from them with my new pfo hqi ballasts they are blindingly crisp white

reefrubble
02/13/2006, 06:56 PM
George,we want pics. Quit teasing us. ,let us see the progress Ted

robthorn
02/13/2006, 08:38 PM
ted some of the china bulbs use cheap glass instead of pyrex like good bulbs. as far as myself and some others believe they do not properly filter out uv or bad uv at least. I have tried several cheap and expensive bulbs and as far as my personal experience goes you get what you pay for in this instance. alot of the bulb importers bring in bulbs under one name and then change the name when they are junk and sell them under a new name so people don't know they are still the junk bulbs. sun aquatics or something like that were from china and one didn't fire and the other bleached my sps. coralvue / now called reeflux I think killed my corals tony's corals and shauns corals among other people you can read about here on reef central and numerous other boards around. I have not tried all the chinesse bulbs I am sure but I personally have had enough to shy away from them. I hear good things from evc bulbs and tried one on my 65. it was dim but very nice blue and my corals browned out after them being under radiums.

reefrubble
02/13/2006, 08:58 PM
Rob,at least you tried the bulbs that you give an opinion on. Some just say ALL Bulbs from China,are junk. Ted