eBay Metal Halide bulbs
 

Anybody ordered MH bulbs off eBay recently.

Currently using 250W DE Phoenix 14000K and very happy with the color spectrum. But does anybody know of a cheaper alternative on eBay?

Please provide a link ...

Thanks

This has been discussed lots, do a search & you should find lots of info. I will see if I can find it as well.

Here's the link to other thread, states the seller store name. You should be able to find it.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...hlight=ebay+MH

I've been using eBay builds for a couple of bulb changes now. I ordered from two different eBay vendors but the builbs were virtually identical. They were marketed as 15K aquarium DE halide bulbs.

Pros.

Cheap. I ordered 3 bulbs for the cost of one Phoenix bulb.

Cons.

1. Colour temp isn't quite what is advertised. It is more like a 12-14K bulb.
2. They seem to colour shift sooner than brand name bulbs. I changed mine out at 8 or 9 months instead of 12 like I did with Phoenix bulbs.

Anyway, that's my take on them :-)

^^ Hey MR. Are you stalking me or what :twised:

Thanks Kien. So they weren't as blue as the Phoenix bulbs?

I heard the same thing so when I did my first order I wanted 15k but ordered a little higher k bulb for that fact.

Hobby Lights Oneshop 250w DE start at $60. I am I missing something?

Yes you are!! If you actually open up the page you will see the pull down menu that says 1, 2, or 3 pieces. It's $60 for 3 bulbs and free shipping now to boot.

It's really not cheaper at then end because they shift in spectrum and color rather quickly. I also use Pheonix 14k now and before that I was using the ebay bulb but I was not happy with them for long. I had to replace them every 6 months and after 3 months they were getting yellow so I was not happy with the color half of the time.

I will keep on with the Phoenix from now on and not return to the cheapo bulb.

I have tried a bunch of them. I remember the Artemis but can't remember what was the brand of the others I tried but they were all the same for results. My phoenix is currently one year old and I do not plan to replace it before another 6 months as it is still going strong and beautiful. At the end the cost is pretty much equivalent.

No they definitely were not as blue. If that's a problem for you then I wouldn't get them. I supplement my halides with 22K t5s so this wasn't a problem for me really.

The last time I bought these bulbs, I didn't like the color (I'm not a fan of the blue) however if I had, I paid $40 for them and I would have gotten at least 3-6 months out of them. Currently I change my ushio bulbs out yearly at over $300. Even if I replace the ebay bulbs 4x a year I'm still only paying $160. Seems like a deal to me. They were the Artemis ones. I think I'll try them again only the 10k this time instead of the 14K as I no longer have a source for my Ushios anyways with OA closed :(

Thanks for the replies

I love the blue of the Phoenix. What specific bulb (250W DE) should I try from Hobbylights?

Tyler, just buy LED and stop worrying about bulbs. :razz:

Brad - Now that you jump off someone has to drive the MH bandwagon.

LED's are coming in the summer but I need the MH's to heat the house in the winter :)

That's a good plan. And for the record, I'm not off the wagon, I've got a bright shiny 400w radium over my frags :)

Update.

I received my lights from hobbyshop and I am very happy. Free shipping and great packaging.

I got the 250w DE 14k Artemis bulbs to replace my old Phoenix 14 k bulbs. IMO the colour is identica to the Phoenix bulbl. I was worried that one of the new bulbs would be a slightly different kelvin but they are a perfect colour match.

I could not happier.