cheap metal halide

2cool4u · 12/20/2008, 06:50 PM

will cheap metal halides still grow coral like the ones you see on ebay for 7.00-25.00 a bulb was just wondering why thay are so cheap thanks

WaterKeeper · 12/20/2008, 08:18 PM

Hi Cool

To Reef Central

If you know the history of the bulb you may get a deal.I t is not unusual for people to sell year old or better MH tubes on e-Bay. Those are usually past prime and the seller is just unloading used tubes that don't have the proper output anymore. Be careful with the bargins. One can't be too cool with worn out tubes can they?

abulgin · 12/20/2008, 08:56 PM

Yes. I use $21 Plusrite bulbs that I buy on eBay and my SPS grow very, very nicely.

loosecannon · 12/21/2008, 12:15 AM

Those bulbs are fine!

2cool4u · 12/21/2008, 08:24 AM

thats what i run plurite 250-20ks and cant get any growth out of my corals and all my cal-alk mag-ph-phos every thing is fine wonder why i spot feed every other day

stylolvr · 12/21/2008, 09:08 AM

Typically 20Ks are better for color than growth. 10K or 14K is better for growth.

WaterKeeper · 12/21/2008, 02:10 PM

I agree with the second statement.

jubjub · 12/21/2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stylolvr
Typically 20Ks are better for color than growth. 10K or 14K is better for growth.

this is true...closer the bulb is to 6500k(natural sunlight) faster growth will happen

abulgin · 12/21/2008, 06:23 PM

My Plusrites are 14000K

HumbleLobster · 12/21/2008, 07:06 PM

There is a sweet spot that you have to find with your lighting. You have to trade off color, growth, and personal preference when it comes down to it. The lower the K rating, the better the growth, but also the more yellow/white to the color. High K ratings correspond to a stronger blue/purple coloration.

This doesn't take into account PAR ratings, actual light output, or the type of ballast the bulb is fired on. A phoenix 14K looks a lot like a radium 20k on my ballast. In that same ideology, a DE vs SE bulb can look different also.

There are many things to take into consideration when it comes to bulbs.

2cool4u · 12/25/2008, 03:12 PM

thanks guys great info i learned a lot

WaterKeeper · 12/25/2008, 10:50 PM

But Q has special bulbs anyway.

12/20/2008, 06:50 PM	#1
2cool4u Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: coralville Posts: 120	cheap metal halide will cheap metal halides still grow coral like the ones you see on ebay for 7.00-25.00 a bulb was just wondering why thay are so cheap thanks

12/20/2008, 08:18 PM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Cool *To Reef Central* If you know the history of the bulb you may get a deal.I t is not unusual for people to sell year old or better MH tubes on e-Bay. Those are usually past prime and the seller is just unloading used tubes that don't have the proper output anymore. Be careful with the bargins. One can't be too cool with worn out tubes can they? __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/21/2008, 12:15 AM	#4
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	Those bulbs are fine! __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

12/21/2008, 09:08 AM	#6
stylolvr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 734	Typically 20Ks are better for color than growth. 10K or 14K is better for growth. __________________ Some call it a hobby, others an obsession. I just call it good, clean fun! Current Tank Info: Acquiring equipment for a Waterbox 20 Cube mixed reef

12/21/2008, 02:10 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I agree with the second statement. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/20/2008, 08:56 PM	#3
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	Yes. I use $21 Plusrite bulbs that I buy on eBay and my SPS grow very, very nicely.

12/21/2008, 08:24 AM	#5
2cool4u Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: coralville Posts: 120	thats what i run plurite 250-20ks and cant get any growth out of my corals and all my cal-alk mag-ph-phos every thing is fine wonder why i spot feed every other day

12/21/2008, 06:23 PM	#9
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	My Plusrites are 14000K

12/21/2008, 07:06 PM	#10
HumbleLobster Should be Quarantined Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 432	There is a sweet spot that you have to find with your lighting. You have to trade off color, growth, and personal preference when it comes down to it. The lower the K rating, the better the growth, but also the more yellow/white to the color. High K ratings correspond to a stronger blue/purple coloration. This doesn't take into account PAR ratings, actual light output, or the type of ballast the bulb is fired on. A phoenix 14K looks a lot like a radium 20k on my ballast. In that same ideology, a DE vs SE bulb can look different also. There are many things to take into consideration when it comes to bulbs.

12/25/2008, 03:12 PM	#11
2cool4u Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: coralville Posts: 120	thanks guys great info i learned a lot

12/25/2008, 10:50 PM	#12
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	But Q has special bulbs anyway. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29