Where is a good place to buy MH bulbs?

[dzovi]

I'm looking for a good place to buy a one sided 175w MH bulb but I'm not sure the best place to buy them? Anyone know of any good places. Thank you for your time.

 

[user48953]

Check out John at YourReef.com.. he's the only place local that will have decent/Internet like prices..

sounds like it's almost time for another MH group buy.

 

[dzovi]

Great. Thanks for the info.

 

[Justin74]

I got mine for just over 40 bucks off ebay. There still fairly unheard of so they dont have very much feedback. I bought the 20k and am happy with them. The bulbs are called REEFMAX. Sold by a guy here on RC named Kevin. Are you looking for a probe or pulse start?

-Justin

 

[dzovi]

Hmm, really new at the MH ligthing setup. Could you give me more info on the differences? I didn't want to get a cheap bulb with low quality, I bought some PC bulbs off eBay and they were cheap but also horrible quality. I don't want to make the same mistakes with the MH bulbs.

 

[funman1]

I need a new bulb.. Count me in for a group buy!!!

 

[Justin74]

Reefmax.com, 2 months of hard use(up to 12 hours run time a day) and still look great, so Id call the price definately cheap, but quality=GOOD. Lots of decent reviews as well,no bad ones that Ive seen so far,which is pretty damn good seeing how even the "best" has some ill reviews.

-Justin

 

[clintrandall]

I have the Reefmax bulbs (and one ballast) as well and I really like the colors (using 14k). I don't know what PAR they're putting out, but they are performing well and I have no problems. Considering that every eventual replacement is only $37 + shipping from reefmax.com, that adds up to a lot of savings over the long haul if they are comparable to other bulbs.

Clint

 

[xinumaster]

Hi Clintandall, let us know how your sps growth response to this reefmax bulbs. I'm considering of ordering a couple of this.

 

[Justin74]

The tank I set it up on will be predominantly LPS and softies, cant speak for sps but the softies are diggin it

-Justin

 

[clintrandall]

Honestly, I'm just starting SPS and I've only had the bulbs for 3 or 4 weeks. I know that my softies and LPS are nice and open, but I can't speak to SPS growth yet as my SPS have been in for about a week.

 

[gizmo7718]

For keeping SPS, I think light is one of the most important factors in maintaing a colorful and growing reef. I don't think going cheap is a good idea, especially if you don't know the PAR ratings or haven't done any tests yourself. Thank God for Sanjay Joshi and the results he has published. I would recommend looking at his data (sorry, don't have the link but I believe it's in the Lighting/Equipment forum). Since most recommend changing MH bulbs after 8-12 months of use, saving $10-20 a year for what could be sub-standard performing bulbs doesn't make much sense. I know the tried and true brands are a little more, but lighting is something I don't recommend skimping on.

Just my $.02.

 

[Justin74]

The only problem currently is that his data is not,current that is. Although it gives you a very good idea, its just a few years old and quite a few hardware changes have taken place with a few of the ballasts tested. From what Ive gathered the bulbs are identical in physical and spectral appearance. I dont mind skippen out 20-30 bucks if I dont get the same pretty box and brandname stamped on the same bulb. Although I dont have a spectral analysis, there are quite a few feedbacks listed on his sight, and I dont think he would whole heartedly rear his head if he was selling questionable products,especially under the heavy scrutiny from a sight such as this one.

-Justin