What are the best cheap MH bulbs right now?

Jova · 01/26/2012, 12:11 AM

I need to replace my single ended 250w mh bulbs. A year or two ago, everyone was raving about the Plusrite (I believe) bulbs on eBay. Are these still the best for a cheap bulb or is there something else that's better? I went expensive last year and bought 14k Hamiltons and I actually had better results with the cheap bulbs, so I want to try that but just wanted to see who's using what. Thanks!

zigzag1 · 01/26/2012, 02:17 PM

I've been using the Plusrite 250W 20k bulbs, and am very happy with them. Great bulb for the price IME.

jamey1015 · 01/26/2012, 03:28 PM

I may try them the next time around, I just hate bulbs that are algae growing magnets although this seem to get good reviews all around even if you had to replace them a lot sooner and they are cheaper over at 1000 bulbs...

Zigzag1 how was the 20k color more like a 14k Phoneix bulb? or Bluer?

jamey1015 · 01/26/2012, 03:29 PM

I may try them the next time around, I just hate bulbs that are algae growing magnets although this seem to get good reviews all around even if you had to replace them a lot sooner and they are cheaper over at 1000 bulbs...

Zigzag1 how was the 20k color more like a 14k Phoneix bulb? or Bluer?

zigzag1 · 01/26/2012, 05:09 PM

I was running a XM 14k prior to the Plusrite 20k bulbs. I've never used the Phoneix 14k, so I really can't compare them well. I say they are about the same as the XM 14k far as the color and brightness apparent to the human eye. Not sure on the true color numbers or PAR/PUR. To me they look great on my tank, grow my coral very well, and for less than $20 each shipped - that's all I need.

JMTC & GL!

01/26/2012, 12:11 AM	#1
Jova Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 201	What are the best cheap MH bulbs right now? I need to replace my single ended 250w mh bulbs. A year or two ago, everyone was raving about the Plusrite (I believe) bulbs on eBay. Are these still the best for a cheap bulb or is there something else that's better? I went expensive last year and bought 14k Hamiltons and I actually had better results with the cheap bulbs, so I want to try that but just wanted to see who's using what. Thanks!

01/26/2012, 02:17 PM	#2
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	I've been using the Plusrite 250W 20k bulbs, and am very happy with them. Great bulb for the price IME. __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.

01/26/2012, 03:28 PM	#3
jamey1015 <"))))>( Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 171	I may try them the next time around, I just hate bulbs that are algae growing magnets although this seem to get good reviews all around even if you had to replace them a lot sooner and they are cheaper over at 1000 bulbs... Zigzag1 how was the 20k color more like a 14k Phoneix bulb? or Bluer? __________________ Reefing since 1994' 180g Clarity Plus SPS dominant Full Spectrum LED lighting 2x Ecotech MP40W-ES Reef Octopus SRO-5000 Korallin 1502 Calcium Reactor Bashsea Bio-Pellet Reactor

01/26/2012, 03:29 PM	#4
jamey1015 <"))))>( Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 171	I may try them the next time around, I just hate bulbs that are algae growing magnets although this seem to get good reviews all around even if you had to replace them a lot sooner and they are cheaper over at 1000 bulbs... Zigzag1 how was the 20k color more like a 14k Phoneix bulb? or Bluer? __________________ Reefing since 1994' 180g Clarity Plus SPS dominant Full Spectrum LED lighting 2x Ecotech MP40W-ES Reef Octopus SRO-5000 Korallin 1502 Calcium Reactor Bashsea Bio-Pellet Reactor

01/26/2012, 05:09 PM	#5
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	I was running a XM 14k prior to the Plusrite 20k bulbs. I've never used the Phoneix 14k, so I really can't compare them well. I say they are about the same as the XM 14k far as the color and brightness apparent to the human eye. Not sure on the true color numbers or PAR/PUR. To me they look great on my tank, grow my coral very well, and for less than $20 each shipped - that's all I need. JMTC & GL! __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.