cheap bulbs

[murfman]

Who all out there uses the cheap Chinese MH bulbs from Ebay on their tank?

It's almost time to get new bulbs and I have heard mixed reviews on these bulbs.

I'd like to know if anyone has had any issues, not if it's a bad idea or a good idea, just actual FACT on these bulbs use.

 

[COreefer]

XM's are chinese made bulbs, and they suck, par is poor, limited lifespan... IMO bulbs aren't something you shouldn't skimp on. You can get quality bulbs for low prices. What are you looking for 10K, 14, 20K?? I recently got a Hamilton 14K 250 DE for $50 from custom aquatics...an RC sponsor. You can find good deals on reputable bulbs.

 

[normanviking]

bulbs aren't something you shouldn't skimp on

Is that a double negative?? lol I use XM. I like them. Eric what are the negative reports on XM other then the lifespan? Hey I still have that Hydno of yours. lol It is getting nice and big.

 

[murfman]

I think I am going to give the reefoptics bulbs a shot. They are $30 on ebay and the company is based out of Louisiana. I have not found anything negative about them.

Dr. Sanjay Joshi, is testing them as we speak and will be posting their comparison to others he has already tested. He will be in Denver the 10th for the mini conference so it might be a god time to ask him how they compare, if he has not already posted on them.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=924715&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.lareefclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=34689&sid=39e5a42ea81ed9342cc8d4874c415a7c

http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/305180/ReefOptics-Lighting.htm

Dan, I had an XM 10k and felt it was too yellow vs. Hamilton or others.

 

[racer69]

Paul, I am using one of the reef optics on one side of my tank. It is a 14k SE and it is a nice bulb. But of course I am more prone to experiment with my tank. It has been on for 3 months now with no negative effect on corals. I do agree with Eric though (sorry Dan) XM's aren't that nice. I have a 250 20k SE on the other side and I don't like it that much.

 

[reefkoi]

Is it a good idea to experiment with bulbs? I would think once you find a good one stick with it. The corals would get used to a certain type of light wouldnt they? Not saying that always looking for something better is bad, but I wonder how it affects growth and all? I went from 10K to 14 and thats what I'll stick with, maybe different brands but the same spectrum. going from 10K to 14 or 20K and than back would be a major change, I wonder if this has a negative or positive effect on the health of the tank longterm?
Chris

 

[normanviking]

I guess you guys are running 250 watt? I am running 400 and I love the color of my 20K XM. Coral color is excellent and so is growth. I ran the 10k XM also and I thought it was a nice crisp whit. Again I am running 400 watts though. And depends on what bulb lot you got. I was hoping for some technical data to discourage me on the bulbs. So for me the color and growth are excellent. For me. lol

 

[Crit21]

Todd, have you noticed how your SPS growth compares to the growth using the previous bulb?

 

[Crit21]

I contacted the seller in LA. Here's what he said:

"Hello, the warranty that I give really is that if it works for your ballast and that it fires consistently for at least six months. It will last allot longer than that it is just that allot can happen in six months that are out of my control. I think most will only give you 90 days so I feel I am fair. I have faith in my bulbs so I do not worry. Thanks Wes"

I asked him if they're made in China/Taiwan. Still waiting for the response.

I also asked if he'd give a discount for a bulk purchase. Still waiting on that reply too.

 

[COreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8855376#post8855376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by normanviking
bulbs aren't something you shouldn't skimp on

Is that a double negative?? lol I use XM. I like them. Eric what are the negative reports on XM other then the lifespan? Hey I still have that Hydno of yours. lol It is getting nice and big.

You're right Dan...poor gramatical mistake.

The XM's tend to have a rapid shift in spectrum around the 4th month or so...also the par rating of the 20K is pretty poor. You may see growth in the beginning but as the 4th and 5th months approach, the bulb diminishes rapidly. I think this speaks volumes about the craftsmanship of these bulbs...it's like buying a Kia vs. a VW or a Volvo. I feel the same about these cheap ebay bulbs..you may get a few good months out of them, but they may cause problems after that. Then you replace that cheap bulb with a quality bulb and it ends up shocking the organisms in your tank.

I think Chris makes a very good point...consistency is the key to longterm success in this hobby. If we are going to drop thousands into our tanks, why even chance it with a "cheap" bulb? There are plenty of bulbs in the 55-80 price range that are dependable and will definitely give you a full year of life.

Personaly I am in the process of finding the right bulb for my 54...once I find it, I will stick with that brand bulb. I have tried the Giesman Megacrome 20K (no growth) and now I am on the Ham 14K (good growth, to white though). I am thinking of a 14K blueline or meh...a 14K Phoenix. I had the perfect balance on my 120 using Ushio's then blew it when I switched to a Phoenix, so I speak from experience...find the balance and stick with it.

BTW Dan...I'll have to get that hydno from you soon. I totally forgot about it.

 

[murfman]

Eric L. what kind of issues did you first notice when you changed to the Phoenix? I really liked the Hellios 12.5K but they cost almost as much as the others.

Here is food for thought; If you spend $60 on 1 bulb and get 1 year of use out of it, it costs $60. If you buy a cheap Chinese bulb for $10 and get 6 months use out of it and replace it at the 6 month interval, are you not still $40 ahead to buy new corals?

 

[Crit21]

Ok, the seller in Louisiana said he'd give a 10% discount if you buy a case (24 bulbs). I don't think it has to be a matched case (all the same wattage and spectrum). He said he'd be willing to work with us on it.

I might consider going for 3 if we get a full case.

 

[Crit21]

As far as dropping $thousands into my tank...I like to think of it as dollar cost averaging. :lol:

Anyway, the feedback in the forums looks all positive. It makes you wonder what "manufacturers" end up putting their names on them.

 

[normanviking]

Hey Eric thanks for the tips. What bulb would you revomend. Like i said I really like the color of the XM 20K. I am getting really good growth. The PAR was pretty good, need to look at it again and report the number. But I would like to know what the PAR is towards the end of the one year mark.

 

[normanviking]

The PPFD, same as PAR?, was 128.

 

[Deuce67]

400W 20K XMs on magnetic ballast are prolly one of the best 20k lamps available as far as SE lamps go. Im really considering to go that route on my next tank. As far as a lower K bulb, I read really good things about the Reeflux 12K 400W lamps. No data on yet though as far as Sanjay testing them. dan 128 PPFD is an excellent put out for a bulb. Sanjay recommends 100 PPFD or higher on an sps tank.

 

[normanviking]

I did not know that about the recommended PPFD. I was wondering if there was such a thing. Yeah I really like the bulbs so far. Happy New Year Russ.

 

[Deuce67]

Happy new years to you too Dan.

 

[COreefer]

Sory Dan...I never lookd at the 400 watt bulbs. Looks to be a totally different story. My original post regarding the xm's was geared toward what Murf has...

Happy New Year guys..

 

[Deuce67]

Here is a good site to find out some data on lamps. Click here . Lamp selection is prolly one of the toughest decision to make. A same brand lamp will fire differently on different type of ballast. What looks good to other may not look good to you. One reason why I rarely ask recommendation on lamp selection. Another thing, is the marketing of manufacturers. All these 14K lamps are actually over 20K. You will not find a true 14k lamp. Even the highly praised Phoenix 14K is actually over 20K. You will see that some 10K rated bulbs are actually 6K which will make your tank look like somebody pee'd in it. Pretty much all lamps are made in Asia somewhere. Even some of the German claimed lamps are made in Asia. Nothing wrong with that IMO. One thing you got going is you are running SE lamps which gives you more of a choice. That is what I hate about DE, limited bulb choices that gives great color and par. Anyways, on that link I gave, PPFD is par and the higher the value, the better. CCRT is the actual K. If it has a 0 or if its blank, it means its over 20K. The understanding I got, Sanjays sophisticated equiptment can only read 20K and lower.