ebay MH lights

[TimFountain]

I need to replace my 175W 14K Hamiltons, and the attractive price of MH's on ebay caught my eye. Something like these :-
http://cgi.ebay.com/175-W-Watt-14000K-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Bulb-Lamp-Reef_W0QQitemZ7758297362QQcategoryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Does anyone have any feedback on these, are they OK, or a piece of junk? Search didn't reveal any discussion.

Thanks

- Tim

[jcato]

i asked the same question last week with no response. i went ahead and ordered the bulbs, they should be here this week and ill update when i get them.

john

[MarineTeng]

i'm curious too, they're a ton cheaper, as i'm looking to go to mh i might invest in a few of these, anyone know what brand they are? i don't have an ebay acount to ask the seller

[TimFountain]

I'm also going to give it a go, at this price even if they last half the time.... I'll report back. I noticed the vendor doesn't list the manufacturer, I'm assuming they are some kind of China knock-offs....

Thanks

- Tim

[GoldStripe]

Would be worth a try at 9 bucks. I started with cheap bulbs and ended up going with name brand more expensive models. IMO the cheaper bulbs will lose their intensity much faster and the color of the bulb will shift quicker, that's all. Like you said at $9.00 (really $18.00 w/ s&h), you can buy 3 times as many of these. :)

[Maker]

Silly me. I'm going to try these out also. We'll see what happens.

maker

[pangea]

I have had these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7729898037&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX
CA REEF GROW 175 bulbs-good color, not as bright as XM,but bluer and good coral color and growth=$40

[Nammy]

I know another reefer that have been using these lights for a few months and haven't had any problem as of yet.

[MarineTeng]

anyone have anymore thoughts on these?

[marilynrn711]

I cant imagine why they dont tell you who the manufacturer is. I bought some venture 10k bulbs on ebay, 2 for 50. I like them now that they have burned in.

[MarineTeng]

do you have the seller for those, or was it a one time thing

[marilynrn711]

I just checked and he is still selling them
http://cgi.ebay.com/Two-250-Watt-10-000-kelvin-Venture-Aquarium-Bulbs-New_W0QQitemZ7761081393QQcategoryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They burn more like a 14k

[marilynrn711]

Here is what they are going for at PA

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10K-250USA&Category_Code=mh-250w

[MarineTeng]

gah, i would buy them, but i'm planning on using 175 watts on my tank, would 250 watts be too much overkill for a short tank 20 gallon long + a sand bed (i haven't bought anything yet)

[marilynrn711]

You would have to buy a new ballast to run a 250 .


Are you saying that you have a 20 g tank, and looking to run one MH bulb? If so I would also think 250 would be too much.

[MarineTeng]

ya, i haven't bought the ballast yet, how well do you think acros or other sps would do at 175 watt on a 20 long, (13-15" tall i forget exactly)

[psycho_clown]

Id go with a trusted brand from a reputable dealer. Otherwise that guy could be selling his old used bulbs and some cheap *** like you could be buying his garbage, my two cents

[TimFountain]

Well, the lights have been running for a week, with no problems for far. I wanted to wait a while before posting to ensure all is OK. Very nice color output at 14K. Running on icecap MH electronic ballasts. The packaging does not say the brand, they say made in Germany, and I couldn't find any bad spelling (perhaps indicating Chinese knock-offs). They seem to be well made and all the inhabitants are doing fine, the RBTA opened up even more than usual. So far so good. There is no reason why the Hamiltons and so on should go for $70+.

- Tim

[tkeracer619]

Can we get one of these shipped to the mh tester? I would be curious on the actual numbers. Germany huh. interesting.

[MarineTeng]

i'm afraid they might put out too much UV, anyone able to test this, or i might just invest in a shield

[jcato]

i also recieved mine(175w 14k) and they have been running for over a week.. im running them on a coralvue electronic ballast they seem a little on the blue side but they are perfect for someone who wants to run MH only and no supplemental lighting.

overall i would give the bulb a 7 out of 10.

here are a few pics. my canopy is not built yet so i have a temp up and the MH are the only light source.

john

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/jcato/skimmer011.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/jcato/skimmer010.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/jcato/skimmer009.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/jcato/skimmer008.jpg