Yes or No on cheap ebay bulbs?

Ehgemus · 07/22/2007, 11:37 AM

ok I know there is a big post about cheap ebay bulbs. but just wanted to know if there are any good ones out there.

theatrus · 07/22/2007, 12:03 PM

The MH bulbs all spectrum shift horribly at or before 6 months. Some people report success with them by frequently replacing, but why dump more mercury into the environment by using them?

dpearly88 · 07/22/2007, 12:32 PM

I'm not sure, I've heard they don't work that well second hand. If you run 175 watt MHs get Iwasaki... they're not cheap but they're very bright. Some day I want to buy some cheap ones and compair.

Dingo Dog · 07/22/2007, 12:58 PM

I agree with Theatrus. Also, I'd think the time and effort you may end up spending having to deal with the second-hand or cheaper quality light issues, plus paying shipping and having to wait for delivery with eBay vs. trying to get a good deal locally wouldn't be that difficult of a decision, but that's just my opinion.

smcdonn · 07/22/2007, 01:03 PM

Ok here it goes again, boy if this thread gets anywhere as big as the last one its going to be scary. I purchased 2 10K 250w and 2 14K 250w ebay MH bulbs from a guy that goes by greatdel. The 14K's burned out very quickly and one of the 10K's came in broke. He quickly replaced the 10K at no charge but I recieved a shorter bulb than the original 10K. The longer 10K that I originally recieved looks amazing. Love the color. And it's sitting next to a 14K hamilton. Everyone loves the color of the hamiltons as I do too, but I must say the original 10K that I recieved has amazing color too. Nice crisp white. But the second 10K I recieved was crap. Very yellow. So moral of the story??? Guess there isn't one. Got one good bulb out of 4. You can do the math and see that I didn't come out much ahead.

RichConley · 07/22/2007, 01:21 PM

Some say they work great, some say theyre awful.

The truth is probably somewhere in betweeen.

A lot of the bulbs we're spending $60 ARE cheap korean knockoff bulbs (XM, etc).

Ehgemus · 07/22/2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by theatrus
but why dump more mercury into the environment by using them?

I don't understand what you mean about dumping more mercury.

Ehgemus · 07/22/2007, 02:34 PM

Ok I know you get what you pay for but why are these bulbs $9.00- $30.00 and a fancy reef bulb in a nice pretty box 60.00 or more. what makes that bulb worth that much more? are we getting screwed here when they could be made by the same company.
I am running a 250w reeflux bulb on my tank and I still have the box that the bulb came it, The box does not say who made the bulb it just says reeflux. now they could have made the bulb but how knows GE or phillips could have made.

Ehgemus · 07/22/2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley

A lot of the bulbs we're spending $60 ARE cheap korean knockoff bulbs (XM, etc).

That's what I mean. I have heard that XM bulbs only last 6 months.

07/22/2007, 11:37 AM	#1
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	Yes or No on cheap ebay bulbs? ok I know there is a big post about cheap ebay bulbs. but just wanted to know if there are any good ones out there.

07/22/2007, 12:03 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	The MH bulbs all spectrum shift horribly at or before 6 months. Some people report success with them by frequently replacing, but why dump more mercury into the environment by using them? __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/22/2007, 01:03 PM	#5
smcdonn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 925	Ok here it goes again, boy if this thread gets anywhere as big as the last one its going to be scary. I purchased 2 10K 250w and 2 14K 250w ebay MH bulbs from a guy that goes by greatdel. The 14K's burned out very quickly and one of the 10K's came in broke. He quickly replaced the 10K at no charge but I recieved a shorter bulb than the original 10K. The longer 10K that I originally recieved looks amazing. Love the color. And it's sitting next to a 14K hamilton. Everyone loves the color of the hamiltons as I do too, but I must say the original 10K that I recieved has amazing color too. Nice crisp white. But the second 10K I recieved was crap. Very yellow. So moral of the story??? Guess there isn't one. Got one good bulb out of 4. You can do the math and see that I didn't come out much ahead. __________________ 180g IN WALL, REEF Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

07/22/2007, 01:21 PM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Some say they work great, some say theyre awful. The truth is probably somewhere in betweeen. A lot of the bulbs we're spending $60 ARE cheap korean knockoff bulbs (XM, etc). __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/22/2007, 12:32 PM	#3
dpearly88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 159	I'm not sure, I've heard they don't work that well second hand. If you run 175 watt MHs get Iwasaki... they're not cheap but they're very bright. Some day I want to buy some cheap ones and compair.

07/22/2007, 12:58 PM	#4
Dingo Dog Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 432	I agree with Theatrus. Also, I'd think the time and effort you may end up spending having to deal with the second-hand or cheaper quality light issues, plus paying shipping and having to wait for delivery with eBay vs. trying to get a good deal locally wouldn't be that difficult of a decision, but that's just my opinion.

07/22/2007, 02:34 PM	#8
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	Ok I know you get what you pay for but why are these bulbs $9.00- $30.00 and a fancy reef bulb in a nice pretty box 60.00 or more. what makes that bulb worth that much more? are we getting screwed here when they could be made by the same company. I am running a 250w reeflux bulb on my tank and I still have the box that the bulb came it, The box does not say who made the bulb it just says reeflux. now they could have made the bulb but how knows GE or phillips could have made.