400W Halide Question

shaginwagon13 · 01/20/2010, 08:36 AM

I have to buy two 400W bulbs and I was looking and there is quite a large range of prices. Is there a difference between a $80 bulb in comparison to a $160 halide??

Here is a site with some prices and examples of what I mean.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/info/197/4...ogul+Base.html

Thanks!

sowellj · 01/20/2010, 09:20 AM

At first those prices seemed really high, then I noticed that they were Candian dolloars. I think the exchange rate is around 1:1 now (it was a couple weeks ago) so you may be able do better by finding a place to ship to Canada. To answer your question, it really depends on what you like. I would say average bulb price is 70-90, with some (aquaconnects for example) costing significantly more. Some people swear by aquaconnects. I have not used them so can't really comment. My opinion is there are plenty of quality/comparable bulbs that cost much less.

Fizz71 · 01/21/2010, 09:18 AM

I'm running Radiums now, I've heard you can get more use out them so the price starts to even out. There is also a big difference in PAR at depths between different bulbs, they certainly are not the same just because they both say "400W" and "20k".

My radium 250W 20Ks burn a lot whiter than the 250W XM 20ks I had...I didn't like the XM 20ks at all, since all I saw was blue. I had the advantage of being able to see them side by side...let's just say...NO EVEN CLOSE.

01/20/2010, 08:36 AM	#1
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	400W Halide Question I have to buy two 400W bulbs and I was looking and there is quite a large range of prices. Is there a difference between a $80 bulb in comparison to a $160 halide?? Here is a site with some prices and examples of what I mean. http://www.jlaquatics.com/info/197/4...ogul+Base.html Thanks!

01/20/2010, 09:20 AM	#2
sowellj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: greenwood, sc Posts: 712	At first those prices seemed really high, then I noticed that they were Candian dolloars. I think the exchange rate is around 1:1 now (it was a couple weeks ago) so you may be able do better by finding a place to ship to Canada. To answer your question, it really depends on what you like. I would say average bulb price is 70-90, with some (aquaconnects for example) costing significantly more. Some people swear by aquaconnects. I have not used them so can't really comment. My opinion is there are plenty of quality/comparable bulbs that cost much less.

01/21/2010, 09:18 AM	#3
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I'm running Radiums now, I've heard you can get more use out them so the price starts to even out. There is also a big difference in PAR at depths between different bulbs, they certainly are not the same just because they both say "400W" and "20k". My radium 250W 20Ks burn a lot whiter than the 250W XM 20ks I had...I didn't like the XM 20ks at all, since all I saw was blue. I had the advantage of being able to see them side by side...let's just say...NO EVEN CLOSE.