MH Bulb price desparity

[majormaz]

Let's face it, all things with "reef," "fish," or anything hobby related immediately go up in price. It's all in the name.

My question is what is the difference between the cheap $10-$20 Metal Halide vs. one that is $50-$80? Is it really the brand name that drives up the cost? Please give honest replies.

 

[westmoorenerd]

Quality, customer service, reliability?

I've seen a few cases we're people have bought 2 of the same $10-$20 eBay halide and they came out as a different color. I've never seen anyone check the PAR on any of the cheap knock off bulbs either....

Personally I live by the "you get what you pay for" mentality. I might be be young, but I have been around the world enough to realize that's an unavoidable truth.

 

[Paulairduck]

I like Radiums, you can run them for more than a year no issues


QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY!!!!

 

[BigJay]

Reef halide bulbs are made to hold a particular spectrum longer, and have a more consistent color and performance.

Off brand bulbs made for non aquarium use aren't as picky about coonsistent PAR or spectrum.

 

[cccapt]

I've never seen anyone check the PAR on any of the cheap knock off bulbs either....

Sanjay did test some of the Ebay bulbs.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/11/review
From the article.......
"When compared against other lamp and ballast combinations, these lamps tend to have lower output. However, this does not mean that the lamps are not useable. Given the low cost of the lamps, their use can be justified. Knowing that the output lies in the lower half to the lower third of comparable lamps, this information can be used to extract the most out of these lamps. For example, these lamps could be adequate if you could mount them lower and use them on shallower tanks, or with corals that require lower light levels."

 

[grigsy]

I have found out the hard way, you really do get what you pay for in most cases.

The higher priced bulbs generally have a better warranty, are more reliable (the biggest key) and dont lose their spectrum after 1 months use.