Anyone using these lights?

I used to ship delicate glass items for a living and I know it is poeeible to package them so they will not break short of being hit with a basreball bat. I think when you order from a cheap company you have to expect them to cut corners. If it were me I wouldn't consider it worth my time to argue with them, but I would never shop there again after such poor service. In fact, after hearing about your service I may not shop there. It sounds like most people are in agreement that their bulbs suck anyway and seem to be replacing them with good bulbs before long.
 
Warboc, the package was left so I could not refuse it. As for the package, it was not damaged that I could see. Again, it was not a box but a bunch of pieces of cardboard taped together.
 
I agree Steel_Phoenix, I will not shop there again. I am shocked that so many people here think it is ok to receive something that is damaged and have to pay more to have what should be included for free. I just don't get it. But I guess I like to get what I pay for, not what I might get if I am lucky.
 
I'm confused. I thought the ad said that they were "Quality tested external electronic ballast. " I thought that these were electronic ballasts that could be used with any HQI DE.
 
IUnknown said:
I'm confused. I thought the ad said that they were "Quality tested external electronic ballast. " I thought that these were electronic ballasts that could be used with any HQI DE.
Click to expand...

I am too. I am new to this though. I thought that if it was an electroinic ballast then it signified it was for a a DE bulb.

I wanted to get feedback though and took those pictures of the actual ballasts.
 
When I talked to the guy at the store, he assured me that they were electronic ballast and not magnetic. I told him that the unit I had currently was magnetic and that I didn't like the hum it made, and wanted to switch over. Don't bother with the email, its useless, you have to call them (650) 872-1993.
 
IUnknown,

I called and spoke with Alfred (hope I got the name right) there for about 10 minutes and he was very helpful. I mentioned to him that I have loooked at the ballasts and it appears to be a magnetic ballast instead of an electronic ballast. I said that such ballasts are usually designed for single edge MH bulbs.

His response to me was that this particular unit is quality tested by the manufacturer and in their store with HQI DE bulbs. He says that there is no problem using any brand of HQI DE 150W bulbs in the unit. He was very specific to say not to go over 150W bulbs (common sense here I know).

I told him that each of my bulbs are putting out a slightly different color. He said that is likely because they get the bulbs in bulk (hence the free bulbs) and they can not guarantee that the colors will match up exactly.

When I asked him what brand the bulbs are, he said they are Odyssea brand. He says they are not labeled at all (which I have noticed) except on the boxes they receive them in. He told me that he can sell me new bulbs (same brand) for $25 each but could not guarantee they would match.

At the end of the conversation, I asked again if I can safely use HQI bulbs in the unit and he said yes.

Dunno how much trust I can place in his re-assurance but at the very least he was kind and courteous to me and spent quite a while on the phone with me.

A personal observation: The ballst unit does not seem to be running hot at all with the exisitng bulbs. Heck, it is barely even warm to the touch.

I will likely try a pair of Ushio DE 20k bulbs in the unit next week.
 
Warboc,

Thanks for checking in with the store and getting info for us all.

I see you are sticking with 20K and not trying 10K. Mind if I ask why the 20 instead of 10 or 14?

Marcelo -
 
Marcelog said:
Warboc,

Thanks for checking in with the store and getting info for us all.

I see you are sticking with 20K and not trying 10K. Mind if I ask why the 20 instead of 10 or 14?

Marcelo -
Click to expand...

I honestly am not sure what is "best" for the livestock in the tank, 10k, 10k, 14k. I am new to this as I said before. :)

However, I am going by pictures I saw (can't remember the website now) that had countless pictures comparisons of different bulbs side by side. I liked that one best.

With that being said, the CoralValue 10k (I believe that's the one) looked very nice as well.

I assume by your question that 10k or 14k would be better?
 
Warboc said:
I assume by your question that 10k or 14k would be better?
Click to expand...

From what I've been reading here and elsewhere, 10K seem to bring better growth.

Unfortuenately, at $50-80 a bulb, it's not easy to experiment between the different values.

Do you happen to remember the url for the site you used to make your decision?

Marcelo -
 
I can't use the search function right now (limited use to premium members only during peak times like now) but you should be able to. I think if you search for 150 in thread titles you should be able to find one of the sites with the picture comparisons.

Better yet, maybe someone will read this and post the link. :D
 
One more thing...

Any of you know other sources aside from customaquatic.com and hellolights.com to buy DE MH bulbs?

For that matter, is there any sort of pet store or even a lighting/fixtures store chain that sells MH bulbs?
 
I posted this in another thread but will post it here too.

In looking into this further, I see at least one brand of DE bulbs that specifically supports a M102 ballast.

Iwasaki 20k & 50k DE bulbs.

More info here
 
I think marcelo is right about the growth under 10k....I hear growth under 10k is much faster than 20k, but the 20k is nice to look at!!
 
Warboc said:
By the way, I ordered a pair of Ushio 10k bulbs to try in the fixture. Should have them in by this time next week so I'll post some feedback on whether or not they work heh....
Click to expand...

Be sure and let us know how they work out. Post some before/after pictures as well.

Marcelo -
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

griss
Hygger HG 107
Replies
15
Views
3K
griss
griss
griss
Anyone Know Who Makes These?
Replies
8
Views
483
wvned
wvned
wvned
Not sure what to do
Replies
8
Views
1K
OrionN
OrionN
K
Radion time help. (Long post)
Replies
2
Views
126
kj swans
K
whyapollo
Radion XR30w G2.. still useable?
Replies
3
Views
723
griss
griss
Back
Top