Inexpensive bulbs
 

I found a source for inexpensive metal halide bulbs.I ordered a 70 watt DE 10k bulb yesterday for $39.00 , they also have 20k bulbs for the same price.I'm not sure about the quality but the price is right.They also have a big selection of other bulbs too. http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/default.php

At those prices one can't afford not to order a bulb. So I ordered a 20000K 175W bulb even though I don't need one. Maybe I should have ordered two. :rolleyes:

I got an aromat electronic ballast for only $40.00 also, its for a 70 watt MH bulb.

are those bulbs not sunaquatic bulbs?
if they are not, they are the same kind under another name I believe

where from?

There is a guy there called Liv, he sold me one for $40, he said he had some more if you are interested, look for him on the forum there, he is a really good guy to deal with.

and the point is? they are 1/2 the price of what SA is charging for them.

Steve

Interesting how only the 70w and 400w bulbs are cheap. Regardless, it was only a matter of time before someone else found one of the many cheap electronics manufacturers in China able to make aquarium-spectrum halide bulbs.

All the bulbs from "arc lighting" seem to be for sale.. all I need is a MH setup for a reason to buy some.

:biggrin:

I was just curious if they were sun aquatics bulbs.....no point really.... :mrgreen:

I just fired up my 70watt 10k arc bulb in a regency fixture, the bulb is a nice color, but the regency looks a little ghetto.

I have received my 20000K 175W bulb. There is nothing printed on the bulb, or the packaging to identify it.

Have you fired it up, Bob? I understand there was some concern over whether the 20K and 14K were labelled correctly, and might be switched.

Apparently, the 14 was bluer than the 20?

I got my 175w 10k ... Its a bit yellow.. but maybe it will change after it burns in?

The bulb is in the fixture ready to fire up, but I am waiting for the electronic ballast I ordered from Premium Aquatics to arrive. :rolleyes:

Wow there, Bob... we're going to have to start calling you Mr. Halides.

Who'd a-thunk it? :eek: Pretty cool, though.

:mrgreen:

That happened after I discovered the very fast lumen loss in my 96W PC bulbs. The 50% loss in six months makes them uneconomical in my view. :rolleyes:

my two 10k 55w PC seem brighter in comparison to the single 175w 10K

I'm interested to see how yours turns out.

hmm my old 175 was way brighter than my two 96 watt PC's on my tank back when...

Steve

Chad, even though I like the 55W straight-pin bulbs, I'd hate to see that 175 MH. Sounds poor...

Back to the cheap bulbs part - there seems to be 3 choices for new "affordable" MH now - SA, Arc, and RS (Stephane's). People on the other boards have said they see a colour difference, quality difference, etc... who knows, they could all come from the same factory.

Ivan is out front now with this introductory pricing, though. Let's see how long that lasts. :smile:

Well I fired up the new bulb today because I am tired of waiting for my new ballast to arrive (CC&R on strike :question: ).

The bulb is noticably blue. The colors of anything green is enhanced. Some things really glow. Reds and browns are not affected. I will do a picture later.

I am wondering if I should pick up a 20k or something.. Though I might just get some Actinic bulbs.. but with the MH and reflector in place there is pretty much zero room for another type of bulb..

not sure what to do really..

Interesting - that's the 20K, right? My oranges are popping like mad - it's fantastic. Between the CBB and the Blonde Naso, my fishes are glowing. That's the most noticeable for me, just 'cause it's my favourite colour. :mrgreen:

Chad, remember Steve's bulb comparison from a while back? The 14K and 20K SA bulbs had similar PAR - but the 20 had a bit of purple to it. You wouldn't need actinics with one of those, maybe...

The bulb looks like it is not good PAR wise, but then most of the really blue bulbs are that way. The new ballast is at the PO, so I will pick it up tomorrow, and relegate the new bulb to my 33G semi cube. We shall see how it looks on there tomorrow. :biggrin: It is too bad because my GSP's, Frogspawn, and Favites positively glow. :sad:

What about yours, Chad? Any better - I mean you did get he 10K, right? What kind of ballast and reflector are you using?

I'm hoping it's turning out brighter than your PCs... :eek: And the "yellowish" part - weird, you seem to have the choice between yellow and blue with these bulbs.

Well it is YELLOW.. really.. my 10k 55w are like ghost white in comparision.. I am going to take a pic and post it so you can see.. I am useing a reflector from J&L.. My fiancee thinks the MH looks brighter than the PC regardless of the colour.. but I think the PC looks brighter.. but my eyes might be playing tricks on me :biggrin:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/cmcd/2x55w10k-PC.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/cmcd/10k-175w-MH-arc.jpg

Did the seller indicate that he would exchange the bulbs if you weren't happy with them, esp. for colour?

I would ask, if it's as bad as you say. I know it's a hassle to send it back, but perhaps a 14K would work for you... :question:

take a look at the photos now.. I did not ask.. maybe I will.. but I doubt it.. I mean, I guess I can use an atinic bulb to correct the colour.

still... you might want to ask. :biggrin:

Sorry man, but that's not a look I'd choose for my tank, that 175. Bleh...

the pic of the PC lighting looks very nice, the MH pic looks like someone peed in your tank.... :redface:

Yes very much like my old 175W 10000K SA bulb. So for your edification here is a quick shot of the ARC 20000K bulb using an Icecap electronic ballast.

http://members.shaw.ca/rcipema/fishes021.jpg

well I don't know what I can do.. I don't want it too blue.. the 14k might be good.. but I don't think anyone here has bought one yet.

The 10k sucks at this point.. its so yellow.. I'm not happy. I am going to email them and see what they say..

I think 14k is your best choice in these, Chad - judging by what you've said you'd like. They're prolly not much different than the Sun Aquatics bulbs that Steve tested.

Remember this thread?

Steve's SA Bulb Comparison (colour)

He had better luck with his 10K bulb, but the pic 2nd from bottom has the 20K and 14K in it.