Sources for Metal Halide Bulbs, Ballasts & Fixture

griss

RC Mod
Staff member
RC Mod
With the decrease in the number of manufacturers of hobby related metal halides, I thought it would be a good place to have a central source for this equipment. Please add your sources and I will add to this top post so they’re all together.

This thread is for long terms sources for metal halide related items, not just what a retailer is selling that they have left over.

Here’s the summary.










 
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Reef Brite is one of the souces for bulbs, ballasts and fixtures.
They also have a new T5 fixture and a new magnetic metal halide ballast.

The other available source of halide gear is Giesemann, but as far as I know they don't have a representative in US anymore. Used to be Coral Vue/BrS. We can still special order an US version of Giesemann Spectra (SE fixture) directly from Germany though.
 
Reef Brite is one of the souces for bulbs, ballasts and fixtures.
They also have a new T5 fixture and a new magnetic metal halide ballast.

The other available source of halide gear is Giesemann, but as far as I know they don't have a representative in US anymore. Used to be Coral Vue/BrS. We can still special order an US version of Giesemann Spectra (SE fixture) directly from Germany though.
Awesome, thank you
 
I ordered Spectra from Giesemann and its top quality MH + T5 ficture.
They have also LED pendant lights but I hate them as dirty Diesel tractors :)

My personal opinion no offence but design of this Reef Brite lights is awfull
and ugly vs. Giesemann choice. Just check a little products. But tastes is... :)

giesemann.de
 
Just wanted to add, it appears AquaBright is ran by Dave and Alejandra from Hamilton (not sure if Alejandra is actually from Hamilton…) anyway looks like they want to introduce fixtures as well. From R2R:

I will take this opportunity to answer some of the questions and comments we have seen about our brand. As many of you know, Hamilton is currently closed (unknown if it will open in the future). Dave and I (Alejandra) have been in this hobby for over 24 years and know the importance of Metal Halide bulbs to the proper growth of corals. We believe in the quality and spectrum of the bulbs to be some of the best in the hobby and wanted to continue offering them, even when many might say the hobby is dying, but as I said, "Only if we let it". We will be working on providing not only bulbs but also complete systems in the near future. If any of you have any suggestions to what products you would like us to bring back, feel free to let us know.

We received our first batch of bulbs under our new brand and there are more coming soon!
It takes a lot of effort to start from scratch, but we believe in what we do and hope to continue to receive your support!
 
I’m starting to think bulbs might not be our issue. I was looking for 175 watt ballasts tonight and there’s just not much out there.

Reef Brite seems to be the only one and the prices are crazy for a single bulb ballast.

So, if anyone finds a decent source of affordable 175 watt electronic ballasts, please let me know.
 
Griss I know I'm in Europe but I can check maybe some used one it's important that work and it's 110 V.
Also if new is not expensive postage will be high. If you don't find one in US tell me to check but if you ask Giesemann by email they will reply to you. I have support email of guy who ask not lost anything...we say...

As they produce many balast ect for US ask them. Will provide you email or simply go to their page on contact.
 
Griss I know I'm in Europe but I can check maybe some used one it's important that work and it's 110 V.
Also if new is not expensive postage will be high. If you don't find one in US tell me to check but if you ask Giesemann by email they will reply to you. I have support email of guy who ask not lost anything...we say...

As they produce many balast ect for US ask them. Will provide you email or simply go to their page on contact.
Thank you. I'm not in the market for a ballast at this time, I have two brand new still in the box. I've just been looking around to try to keep this thread updated. But, if I were to find a ballast or two at a reasonable (cheap) price, I'd buy for a backup.
 
Do a search under hydroponics. You might find something there. Amazon has a few ballasts listed. Unfortunately not the selection there once used to be.
 
Do a search under hydroponics. You might find something there. Amazon has a few ballasts listed. Unfortunately not the selection there once used to be.
The problem seems to be the 175 watt ballasts and bulbs. Hydroponics never seemed to use that wattage.
 
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