metal halide lamp bran names. Looking for some experience

george1098 · 04/17/2006, 09:50 AM

Hi all
I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with these metal halide bulb bran names. Good bad neutral? what do you think.

Eye (japanese made)
Ushio (German)
Radium (German)
Venture (German)

thanks very much!

Reefmaniac1 · 04/17/2006, 10:41 AM

None of those (although, I've only heard good things about Ushios and Radium lamps. Personal experience with XM lamps is really good.

hahnmeister · 04/17/2006, 01:57 PM

Radiums are nice, but they burn out quickly on most people's ballasts (they arent rated to run on HQI, or for that matter, many halides)...6-9 months tops, sometimes as low as 4 months depending on the wattage of the bulb and the ballast used.

A much better option, with a near identical spectral curve, is the double ended pheonix 14,000K bulb.

The ushio is a nice bulb as well, I have seen the 10,000K and 14,000K long term, and heard 'ok' things about their 20,000K, just not enough to make a judgement on them. I have used the 10,000K Ushio before...nice, crisp white, not yellow like so many other 10,000Ks. The 14,000K is not quite a 14,000K IMO, its more like a 12,000K or 13,000K as its not as blue as many other 14,000Ks out there, but it is alot more crisp than even their own 10,000K.

There are other bulbs out there for a better deal IMO, but first, why dont you tell us what K rating bulb you intended to use...bluer 14,000K and 20,000Ks? What wattage, and what size tank.

xtrstangx · 04/17/2006, 02:23 PM

Coralvue Reeflux bulbs are some of the best I've seen. Awesome color and awesome growth. http://reeftanksupply.com has them for a good price, they were on sale not too long ago there.

hahnmeister · 04/17/2006, 02:51 PM

Well, if he wants 20,000K bulbs (it looks like it from the bulbs he suggested earlier), depending on the exact wattage...I would suggest these...

ESV 20,000K

Sun Aquatics 20,000K

Helios 20,000K

george1098 · 04/17/2006, 03:55 PM

10,000k, or 14,000k, most likely the latter. Which do you think is best for growth?

gcarroll · 04/17/2006, 04:26 PM

Usually if a bulb is made in Germany or Japan, the build quality is much better than the Asian manufacturers. This usually doesn't make much difference on mogul bulbs but if you have 250 watt DE you will notice that the cheap Chinese bulbs are more prone to breaking. Also Chinese bulbs tend to be much cheaper and if you are going to be changing them on a 6-9 month basis there is no problem with them.

Gooli · 04/17/2006, 04:32 PM

XM

hahnmeister · 04/18/2006, 12:45 AM

"Usually if a bulb is made in Germany or Japan, the build quality is much better than the Asian manufacturers." -gcarroll

Um, since when did Japan leave asia? Lol.

What wattage were you looking at? 250? Some bulbs vary alot from one wattage to another even though they may be the same mfg/K rating.

hahnmeister · 04/18/2006, 12:45 AM

"Usually if a bulb is made in Germany or Japan, the build quality is much better than the Asian manufacturers." -gcarroll

Um, since when did Japan leave asia? Lol.

What wattage were you looking at? 250? Some bulbs vary alot from one wattage to another even though they may be the same mfg/K rating.

Gooli · 04/18/2006, 11:39 AM

hahnmeister..time for a haircut dude

gcarroll · 04/18/2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
Um, since when did Japan leave asia? Lol.

When it comes to manufacturing, Japan cannot be grouped with typical countries that are considered asian. There is a different level of standards when it comes to quality. (example: Honda, Toyota, Nissan vs. Kia, Dihatsu, Hyundai)

michaeldaly · 04/22/2006, 10:55 AM

I have Venture bulbs, not sure what you mean by german. because venture is an American company and the bulbs are made in USA.
I use the 10 000K bulbs and like them alot, they are also cheaper than the others you mentioned.

I asume the link below is to the venture bulbs you mentioned
http://www.venturelighting.com/About_Venture.html

Ti · 04/22/2006, 10:59 AM

XM

moonpod · 04/22/2006, 11:18 AM

As a generality these are the "brand names" that have been out there for a long time and are considered "quality" albeit you may or may not like the "look" of their offerings:

Eye/Iwasaki (Japan)
Ushio/BLV (US and Germany)
Venture (US)
Radium (Germany)

Those companies I'm pretty sure actually have their own factories and make their own bulbs. Most of the other "German" bulbs are probably subcontract work by BLV (ie Giesemann, Aqualine Bushke)

Phoenix is a company that makes industrial lighting in Japan and their Double ended bulb seems to be a pretty good quality aquarium bulb.

Pretty much everybody else has their bulbs made for them by the same small group of factories in China and Taiwan.

robsmith32 · 04/22/2006, 06:00 PM

Um, i thought EYE was a subsidiary of iwasaki but based in the US.
as when going to http://www.eyelighting.com it has in the heading.

elephen · 04/22/2006, 06:06 PM

I've been running Radiums for 1.5 years on an HQI ballast now and love the color along with good par output. The downside has been stated, I get about 9 months out of the bulb. Not a big deal though, I can pick them up real cheap.

jimbo045 · 04/22/2006, 08:15 PM

I heard of Venturi, and I like them in 14,000 Kelvins. JD

hahnmeister · 04/22/2006, 08:38 PM

If you like the look of the radiums, but not the short lifespan, the spectral graphs of the radium and pheonix 14,000K are near identical...and they last much longer.

04/17/2006, 09:50 AM	#1
george1098 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Halifax NS Canada Posts: 1,336	metal halide lamp bran names. Looking for some experience Hi all I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with these metal halide bulb bran names. Good bad neutral? what do you think. Eye (japanese made) Ushio (German) Radium (German) Venture (German) thanks very much! __________________ I'm not as think as you stupid i am Current Tank Info: None at the moment

04/17/2006, 10:41 AM	#2
Reefmaniac1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,580	None of those (although, I've only heard good things about Ushios and Radium lamps. Personal experience with XM lamps is really good. __________________ "Stupidity is not necessarily punishable by violence. Although, there are days when I wish it were." - Solomon Short Current Tank Info: None due to disaster...and moving.

04/17/2006, 03:55 PM	#6
george1098 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Halifax NS Canada Posts: 1,336	10,000k, or 14,000k, most likely the latter. Which do you think is best for growth? __________________ I'm not as think as you stupid i am Current Tank Info: None at the moment

04/17/2006, 04:26 PM	#7
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Usually if a bulb is made in Germany or Japan, the build quality is much better than the Asian manufacturers. This usually doesn't make much difference on mogul bulbs but if you have 250 watt DE you will notice that the cheap Chinese bulbs are more prone to breaking. Also Chinese bulbs tend to be much cheaper and if you are going to be changing them on a 6-9 month basis there is no problem with them. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

04/17/2006, 04:32 PM	#8
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	XM __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

04/17/2006, 01:57 PM	#3
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Radiums are nice, but they burn out quickly on most people's ballasts (they arent rated to run on HQI, or for that matter, many halides)...6-9 months tops, sometimes as low as 4 months depending on the wattage of the bulb and the ballast used. A much better option, with a near identical spectral curve, is the double ended pheonix 14,000K bulb. The ushio is a nice bulb as well, I have seen the 10,000K and 14,000K long term, and heard 'ok' things about their 20,000K, just not enough to make a judgement on them. I have used the 10,000K Ushio before...nice, crisp white, not yellow like so many other 10,000Ks. The 14,000K is not quite a 14,000K IMO, its more like a 12,000K or 13,000K as its not as blue as many other 14,000Ks out there, but it is alot more crisp than even their own 10,000K. There are other bulbs out there for a better deal IMO, but first, why dont you tell us what K rating bulb you intended to use...bluer 14,000K and 20,000Ks? What wattage, and what size tank.

04/17/2006, 02:23 PM	#4
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Coralvue Reeflux bulbs are some of the best I've seen. Awesome color and awesome growth. http://reeftanksupply.com has them for a good price, they were on sale not too long ago there.

04/17/2006, 02:51 PM	#5
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Well, if he wants 20,000K bulbs (it looks like it from the bulbs he suggested earlier), depending on the exact wattage...I would suggest these... ESV 20,000K Sun Aquatics 20,000K Helios 20,000K

04/18/2006, 12:45 AM	#9
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	"Usually if a bulb is made in Germany or Japan, the build quality is much better than the Asian manufacturers." -gcarroll Um, since when did Japan leave asia? Lol. What wattage were you looking at? 250? Some bulbs vary alot from one wattage to another even though they may be the same mfg/K rating.

04/18/2006, 11:39 AM	#11
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	hahnmeister..time for a haircut dude __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

04/22/2006, 10:55 AM	#13
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	I have Venture bulbs, not sure what you mean by german. because venture is an American company and the bulbs are made in USA. I use the 10 000K bulbs and like them alot, they are also cheaper than the others you mentioned. I asume the link below is to the venture bulbs you mentioned http://www.venturelighting.com/About_Venture.html

04/22/2006, 10:59 AM	#14
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	XM __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/22/2006, 11:18 AM	#15
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	As a generality these are the "brand names" that have been out there for a long time and are considered "quality" albeit you may or may not like the "look" of their offerings: Eye/Iwasaki (Japan) Ushio/BLV (US and Germany) Venture (US) Radium (Germany) Those companies I'm pretty sure actually have their own factories and make their own bulbs. Most of the other "German" bulbs are probably subcontract work by BLV (ie Giesemann, Aqualine Bushke) Phoenix is a company that makes industrial lighting in Japan and their Double ended bulb seems to be a pretty good quality aquarium bulb. Pretty much everybody else has their bulbs made for them by the same small group of factories in China and Taiwan. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

04/22/2006, 06:00 PM	#16
robsmith32 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BUford, ga Posts: 609	Um, i thought EYE was a subsidiary of iwasaki but based in the US. as when going to http://www.eyelighting.com it has in the heading.

04/22/2006, 06:06 PM	#17
elephen Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kc Posts: 2,763	I've been running Radiums for 1.5 years on an HQI ballast now and love the color along with good par output. The downside has been stated, I get about 9 months out of the bulb. Not a big deal though, I can pick them up real cheap.

04/22/2006, 08:15 PM	#18
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	I heard of Venturi, and I like them in 14,000 Kelvins. JD

04/22/2006, 08:38 PM	#19
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	If you like the look of the radiums, but not the short lifespan, the spectral graphs of the radium and pheonix 14,000K are near identical...and they last much longer.