Ebay MH bulbs

[PurdueMAN_08]

I am currently running Odyssea 20k bulbs in my 250watt de. Was thinking of going with the 14k from plusrite. Didn't somebody have par readings before? I remember looking at them but they made no sense. Anybody else have some par readings for the 20k vs the 14k plusrite at the 250watt range?

 

[boyer209]

I bought the Plusrite 22K se 175watt bulbs. They are very blue!! They do make the green colors pop. For the price I had to try them. I will probably purchase the Phoenix 14K bulbs next time unless these bulbs change my mind. I do like the color of the tank with the 22K's. They make the Coraline appear purple and the greens colors really contrast against it.

 

[Lemeshianos]

I want to buy two bulbs from trust_deals.
MH 150 Watt DE.

Not sure on which brand to choose and how many K.

I do prefer the white-yellow look in a tank and I think the blue look will be added by my actinics. I haven't added any corals yet, but since this is my intention I would like to ask for advice.

I had contacted the seller in the past and he said that all the bulbs are plusrite but I am not sure if that is still the case. Should I pick an item that states plusrite or any bulb he sells is plusrite? Or does he carry another brand that's better?

 

[Lemeshianos]

double post.

 

[PurdueMAN_08]

I want to buy two bulbs from trust_deals.
MH 150 Watt DE.

Not sure on which brand to choose and how many K.

I do prefer the white-yellow look in a tank and I think the blue look will be added by my actinics. I haven't added any corals yet, but since this is my intention I would like to ask for advice.

I had contacted the seller in the past and he said that all the bulbs are plusrite but I am not sure if that is still the case. Should I pick an item that states plusrite or any bulb he sells is plusrite? Or does he carry another brand that's better?

From what I've read on the forums the Plusrite 14k bulbs are white with a bit of blue coloration. If you like the white-yellowish look then your probably wanting 10k but I am not sure if Plusrite manufactures ( or more than likely redistributes ) in that kelvin rating. I have an Odyssea 14k bulb that actually has a more white-yellowish coloration so maybe you could try one out in the 150 watt range?

 

[PurdueMAN_08]

Does anyone have the PAr reading for the following bulbs. I seen many ranges from this site just looking for average. Ita appears that the highest PAR of the 4 was Plusrite.

Plusrite 250w 14K
Plusrite 250w 20K
Artemis 250w 14K
Artemis 250W 20K

I second this idea. I will be purchasing a new bulb soon and this would help me out tremendously. I am specifically looking at the double end hqi bulbs but the se results would be fine as well...

 

[SGH360]

I went to the Plusrite official website and found out that they only make 10K, 14k, 20k. I am guessing any other type of Kelvin rating is another type of brand. My 15k are awesome they have not change the color at all. I'll probably change to a 14k or 20k next time

 

[allsps40]

I ordered 2 150 watt 20k Odysea bulbs for $9.99 each plus shipping, was like $26 total. I have not had a problem with the bulbs, fired right up, good blue color, just like my Coral Life 20ks only not $76 each.

Ok I have since replaced my dual 150W DE set up for a single 250w DE pendant. I started with a Phoenix 14k that was a "few months old" but I had no way to tell for sure. So I felt that it would be good to replace the bulb. I order a new 250w 20k DE Oddysea bulb from Ebay again, cost me $15 shipped. I have been running this bulb for about 2 1/2 months. Sps color has improved and growth is good. Bulb is run on an Icecap E ballast in a Reef Optics3 pendant. Color is nearly the same as the Phoenix.
FTS with Ebay Oddysea 250w 20k

FTS with Phoenix 14k

 

[Pickupman66]

I bought some of the plusrites in December. I am using electronic Icecap MH balasts. I got hte 20k ones from 1000bulbs.com. they send 14k's at first but replaced them immediately.

I am noticing that two of the three appear to be less blue. not sure if it is my rock arrangement or the bulb or the ballast.

where are you guys getting the 250 Watt Artemis 14K ?

 

[beatle]

I'm not seeing the 150w DE 14/15k Plusrite bulbs anywhere. Do they not exist? I see these, however:

http://cgi.ebay.com/150W-14000K-HQI...153858?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item4aa82dcd42

Are they comparable?

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

I tried the 14k bulbs and the color is very yellow and washed out all my corals colors. I started noticing a lot of algae growth after I added these bulbs. Like the saying goes, you get what you pay for in this hobby! Don't skimp on lighting. It is the single most important investment that your corals need in order to grow well. I gave them a try and was very disappointed..save your money and go with better quality bulbs which are intended for aquarium use. I got the guy on the phone and he knew nothing about the MH bulbs for a saltwater reef application, go figure??

I wanted to see how the 20k's look as well. Corals started going down hill after adding them. They have very low par from what I've gathered and need to be replaced every few months. I'm going back to name brand bulbs and not risking the sake of my corals for saving a few bucks. :idea: Hope this helps some people.

 

[beatle]

Sounds like a pretty generic bash post. If you hated the 14k bulbs so much, why did you get the 20ks?

What bulbs did you order? There are numerous bulbs listed in this thread.

 

[Pickupman66]

I agree beatle.... Mine are still looking good and not showing what Sw adict did. I am using the 20k plusrites.

 

[gweston]

I plan to try the Plusrites out, but still not sure if I want to try the 14k's or the 20k's.

I prefer a more white with a blue tint look (no yellow tone), rather than a pronounced blue. I'd rather add supplemental actinics or fiji pink bulb(s), for example. Still, I don't want to sacrifice on PAR too much as I hope to get a few clams. I'm not into SPS really (not yet at least).

From the price point, I think it is worth trying out at least once. If I don't like it, not a big loss.

 

[Pickupman66]

Get the 20k ones

 

[gweston]

I am about to order 20k's from trust_deals on ebay... once I get the tank and everything set up, I'll post pics. It may be a while as I still need to get 3x reflectors, one more ballast, build the hood... drill the tank.. etc *sigh*

I'll be snagging 1x 20k Mogul 175 watt, and 3x 20k HQI DE 250 watt bulbs... for two tanks.

We'll see how it goes.

 

[slate55]

I have had the Plusrites in my fixture for a year with excellent growth i have the 14k bulbs with aqua blue + t-5 as supplement very nice blue tint
by themselves was a bit too yellow..

 

[gweston]

I was thinking to eventually add a couple supplemental T5's as well. Maybe aquablues or actinics + fiji pink. Depending on how 'blue' the 20k's are. I like a bit blue, but not deep blue.

I once got some 'free' mogul 175watt bulbs from a fellow reefer to try out. A good reason why they were free. They were so darn blue they looked like actinics. I forget what they were... maybe the bluest Blue Plus brand, I am guessing. I swapped out for a Ushio 10k. Super pure white, but that bulb needs to be replaced soon. As a result, I was initially hesitant going for 20k Plusrites. But from the pics I have seen on the forums they are more like 14k's in appearance.

 

[wooglin]

I used the plusrites for a year or so. Two sets (changed them at six month intervals). I recently changed to XM 15k's and the color and output is much better with the XM 15k's than I ever got with the plusrites. Prior to the Plusrites I always used 10k XM's and two 110watt actinic VHO's. When the ballast for the VHO's went out was when I switched to the plusrites.

 

[UTCReefer]

I am on month 7 with my 20k 400W plusrite and its still going strong. My sps are doing just fine and have good color under them. I just bought 3 more 400w bulbs and 6 250w 20K's for future use. Now I'm no expert but i do think that these bulbs work well and coming from T'5 lighting to these has been a great experience in both color and growth. I will take another FTS to show the growth from july to now and post it up.