Metal Halide Bulbs Rebadged

recife111 · #1 08/17/2007, 04:23 AM

I have tried almost every bulb and am amazed how many are the same bulb with different name on them.
So far this is what i found

Aquaconnect 250w,150wde bulbs is the same as the phoenix bulbs
Giesemann 250w,400w se/de coral bulb is the same as blv 14000k

does anyone else have bulbs which they think are the same.

Entropy · #2 08/17/2007, 07:39 PM

It is pretty common in most industries. More brand names gives you a bigger market share combined (in most cases). The example that catches my mind is when a company that makes something else (say ballasts for example) suddenly start offering bulbs and you know they don't have factory of their own making them. There is nothing wrong with it though IMO as long as the company backs the product. I think it is easier to sell a complete setup with your brand on it.

DarG · #3 08/17/2007, 08:01 PM

Giesemann, BLV, Ushio supposedly all made in the same plant. Aqualine Bushcke is as well I believe. "we" have looked at the spectral plots here and while you are right, there are some differences in Par for the Ushio, BLV, Giesemann and AB bulbs although the spectral plots are near identical.

Aquaconnect and Phoenix 14K's have long been rumored to be the same bulbs.

3.99AfterTaxes · #4 08/17/2007, 08:12 PM

Aren't they manufactured in different countries?

Entropy · #5 08/17/2007, 08:15 PM

They could be, but many companies have multiple plants in different countries. One company selling under different names makes sense when you think about how small the aquarium bulb market is (compared to regular lighting). Bulbs coming off different lines, or from different plants could easily explain differences in bulb performance (even for two bulbs of the same brand).

markglad · #6 08/17/2007, 10:44 PM

Maybe I should look up what bulb I have and find the cheapest since I paid $80 for my last one….

DarG · #7 08/18/2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by markglad
Maybe I should look up what bulb I have and find the cheapest since I paid $80 for my last one….

What bulb is it?

Paulairduck · #8 08/18/2007, 10:59 AM

How does aquaconnect get so much money for there bulbs, when I hear they are the same as phoenix bulbs, I wonder if they are made in a special factory???

GSMguy · #9 08/18/2007, 11:03 AM

aquaconnect single end is not the same

recife111 · #10 08/19/2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Bulbs coming off different lines, or from different plants could easily explain differences in bulb performance (even for two bulbs of the same brand).

I have read that even bulbs made in the same plant will still not be identical; all bulbs have some sort of tolerants.

Whilst many aquarium products are rebadged it is a pain with the bulbs as we must waste so much money trying different bulbs when in fact they are the same.
I think they should disclose who make the bulb on the packet.

I was using blv14k and changed to giesemann this week. not happy that they are the same bulb. also the giesemann cost more.

Quote:

How does aquaconnect get so much money for there bulbs, when I hear they are the same as phoenix bulbs, I wonder if they are made in a special factory???

All the double ended bulbs of aquconnect are just rebranded and they cost more because aquaconnect has to on sell them , i doubt aquaconnect makes much money per bulb but it will cost more as it goes thru another set of hands.

Not sure who makes aquaconnects single ended bulb, maybe NARVA as they look the same from memory.

DarG · #11 08/19/2007, 10:15 AM

I think the Giesemann has higher par though. If so, atleast it wasnt a total waste of money.

recife111 · #12 08/20/2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

I think the Giesemann has higher par though. If so, atleast it wasnt a total waste of money.

I think it is insignificant, most likely higher due to the batch of bulbs.

DarG · #13 08/20/2007, 01:48 PM

26 PPFD higher on eballast and 40 ppfd higher on M80 ... I think it's more than batch differences.