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  #1  
Old 01/09/2008, 04:04 PM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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Anyone ever use the Ebay MH Bulbs

Has anyone ever used the Ebay MH bulbs? I'm thinking of purchasing the 14k's or the 20K's and I'm not sure about their quality.
  #2  
Old 01/09/2008, 04:38 PM
MMM33732 MMM33732 is offline
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I'll admit, I tried them. They weren't the Phillips ones, but the ones with a blue background where the guy claims "you'll absolutely love them" They are the brand Plusrite. They actually aren't that bad for 20 bucks a piece. I got the 14s which were a tiny bit more pink than I expected, but with some actinics, it all evened out good. I've been using them for a few months now that they seem pretty good. I'm sure the $60+ bulbs are much better, but for 20 a piece, it was worth a shot. I'm a little wary of dropping 120+ to replace them when the time comes when I know that for 40 they look pretty decent as is.
  #3  
Old 01/09/2008, 07:45 PM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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at least you used them. Pink?? ehhh MY Actinics right now give off purple. Should I get the 20's to get the blue look?????? I kinda like the bright crisp white look best.
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  #4  
Old 01/09/2008, 08:00 PM
Wrench Wrench is offline
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Any way you could get your hands on a lux meter and see what kind of intensity they've got?
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  #5  
Old 01/10/2008, 11:32 AM
MMM33732 MMM33732 is offline
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Nope, sorry. If you know anyone who would want to mail one to ohio for a day to find out, I'd be the ginny pig, but I have no way of getting one otherwise. You could try calling Plusrite and asking them if they have any values for the bulbs.

Its not that they are pink per say, they are a whiteish color. But they have more red/pink hues than I expected. I expected more blue. I'm using Advance ballasts. Different ballasts can produce slightly different colors.

For 20 bucks a bulb, I think you'll be pleased with them, but if money isn't an issue to you and you are willing to spend 60 or so a bulb, then go that route as I'm sure the 60 dollar ones look a bit better and may (or may not) even be a bit brighter. Some people say these bulbs are crap, others love them. Its all a matter of opinion.
  #6  
Old 01/10/2008, 11:39 AM
DOTZ DOTZ is offline
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I bought a pulsright also off of ebay. I think it is a very good bulb. I also bought a 10 XM and switch them out every now and then and the corals and nem don't seem to mind or change in any way. I will buy more from the guy when I need more. It was 9.99 for the bulb and 10.00 for shipping if I remember right. BTW the bulb I bought was a 175 watt SE 14K.
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  #7  
Old 01/10/2008, 11:54 AM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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what color does it look like Dotz?
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  #8  
Old 01/10/2008, 12:20 PM
wannareef1 wannareef1 is offline
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I also bought some off ebay, they were the pulse rite 14k, mine were a little more yellow then I liked, I compared them to the jbj 14k, they weren't that far off, I noticed the difference, but the wife didn't, I also have used radiums, again same thing, just a little more yellow, Next time I will buy them again, or get the phillips off of ebay, they were the same price. saved allot of money buying them off ebay, this hobby is expensive enough. have to cut corners where I can.
  #9  
Old 01/10/2008, 12:48 PM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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what are the phillips you speak of wannareef1?
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  #10  
Old 01/10/2008, 01:10 PM
wannareef1 wannareef1 is offline
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last time I looked on ebay there were phillips 10k,14k and 20k from a guy in Los angeles, I think they were 23 bucks shipped, I emailed him but there was no reply, so I bought them off another guy (pulse rite), go to ebay and look up (absolutetrading), this the guy who has the phillips bulbs
  #11  
Old 01/10/2008, 04:56 PM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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any reported success using these bulbs?
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  #12  
Old 01/10/2008, 05:27 PM
kdblove_99 kdblove_99 is offline
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My father in law uses the 14K's. They seem to look pretty good to me
  #13  
Old 01/10/2008, 05:44 PM
ganjero ganjero is offline
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They might "look good" but who knows what PAR they are producing.
  #14  
Old 01/10/2008, 05:51 PM
miwoodar miwoodar is offline
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I would like to know the PAR too. I had good growth with a Plusrite 10K. It was very frustrating not being able to find any good information on them though. I'm upgrading bulbs soon to something I know more about.
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  #15  
Old 01/10/2008, 07:11 PM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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something tells me that with all the information flying around that no matter what bulb you buy they will always be different. im trying to find some crisp white with a strong hint of blue in the bulbs.
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  #16  
Old 01/10/2008, 09:37 PM
miwoodar miwoodar is offline
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The 10K started out pretty white. It yellowed some after a few months though (not as yellow as sun-light though).
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  #17  
Old 01/10/2008, 11:59 PM
wannareef1 wannareef1 is offline
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I tried a few different bulbs, I like the jbj 14K, white with a hint blue
  #18  
Old 01/11/2008, 12:18 AM
asonitez asonitez is offline
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who sells hte jbj
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