Cheap Ebay metal halide bulbs

wakeboarder2342 · 09/08/2006, 10:28 AM

Ok i have been looking for new bulbs for my 180 and came acrossed the cheap reefoptic bulbs on ebay. they are 30 dollars each and come in 175,250,400 with either 10k,14k or 20k spectrum.

Im never the one to cheap out on bulbs but i thought as a service to other reefcentral members i would give these a try. I bought the following

1- 400 watt 14k
1- 250 watt 10k
1 250 watt 20k

I will post pictures and give my opionon on these bulbs when they arrive. I wish i had a par meter to check the output butsince i dont we will have to go on look and growth.

anyone else done a similar test? i searched and heard a few negative commments but none that seemed to actually come from experiance, just people saying dont buy cheap bulbs! however i remember back when you couldnt buy a bulb for under 100 bucks and a 65 dollar bulb was considered the "cheap one"

BurntOutReefer · 09/08/2006, 12:08 PM

wow...those are cheap...sure they're not used...?

1package · 09/08/2006, 12:50 PM

I used some cheap $35 EBay bulbs and thought they were fine until I changed bulbs to a common brand and my SPS colored up a bunch afterwards.

If you have SPS, if your ballast will fire the CoralVue Reeflux, they are relatively inexpensive at the Reef Stop. Key - if your ballast will fire them.

Is it had not been for the SPS, I would not have noticed the difference in the EBay bulbs.

wakeboarder2342 · 09/08/2006, 12:51 PM

Yep they are new, i spoke with the seller this morning, says he is uses them on his reef with great results,

100 dollars shipped for 2 250s and 1 400 watt bulb, cant beat that if they are decent!!

wakeboarder2342 · 09/08/2006, 12:56 PM

Ya i have used the coralvue ones before, i actually have coralvue electronic ballasts.

i am more buying these for testing purposes to see if there is really a difference. i think i might put 1 side of the tank on these bulbs and the other on an xm or coralvue and see if can tell the difference, i will put the same corals under each for exact comparison

wrassie86 · 09/08/2006, 02:05 PM

Ive been using the 250w 10k there alittle yellow but not bad, i think XM 10k's are yellower.so far i have no complaints.altho they are a pulse start bulbs.and i have probe start ballast.so i'm not sure if they would look different with a more compadible ballast

tingram · 09/08/2006, 06:53 PM

I got the 250W 20k's to replace my 14k Hamiltons and love them. I still supplement with VHo Acintics too, but boy what a difference. I am sure to buy again, especially for that price.

wrassie86 · 09/08/2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tingram
I got the 250W 20k's to replace my 14k Hamiltons and love them. I still supplement with VHo Acintics too, but boy what a difference. I am sure to buy again, especially for that price.

What kind of ballast are you running them on?

tingram · 09/08/2006, 07:07 PM

Using two Coralvue ballasts...

AquaticDreams · 09/09/2006, 08:06 PM

The better title for this is inexpensive bulbs. I Just got my second 175w 14k bulb. Color is great! I am replacing 2 bulbs that were 14k but the color was way off. These ReefOptics bulbs are a great deal. I run 2 -175w 14k and 2 110w vho's and everything is doing great. I have always used CoralLife bulbs but that came to a halt when I tested these.
I own my own aquarium company and I will order and use these bulbs in my customers fish tanks. I have great faith in them

wakeboarder2342 · 09/09/2006, 10:13 PM

Glad to hear a few positives on these bulbs, if they can sell a decent bulb for 35 dollars shipped then i think this will drive the price of competing bulbs way down.

Just what the hobby needs, i have always found it interesting that you can buy a 5500k 250 watt bulb for 10 bucks but the bulbs that are useful for reefs were 6 times that at least. Goes to show that if something is for a hobby the price is a joke, i cant imagine it takes more materials or labor to make a 10k bulb vs a 5k one but i could be wrong!

wrassie86 · 09/09/2006, 10:51 PM

I think it all comes down to how long they will last.I've tried sun aquatics bulbs before there about the same price.but they did not last very long at all.i got them replaced under warrenty, but only one out of 4 ever lasted.And since these are pulse start bulbs i'd have to wonder what the par levels are on a probe start ballast.i can say the 250w 10k bulbs are pretty bright.I had thoughts of picking up the 14K and 20k to try also.(heh 4 bulbs for price of 2 name brand)

mrdc · 09/10/2006, 10:07 AM

I bought the same reef optic bulbs from the same guy on ebay about a month ago. So far I am very happy with the looks and the price. I guess time will tell on how long they will last.

92cg60 · 09/11/2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

The better title for this is inexpensive bulbs.

^^^Exactly
Just replaced my 175w 10k's with reefoptic 14k's and the difference is amazing. Within 24hrs my corals really responded to the new lights, not sure if it was mainly due to the change in spectrum or not but IMO these are excellent bulbs for the price.
My LFS wants $99 per bulb, so as long as this guy is around I'll be getting bulbs from him instead.

arowanadream · 09/11/2006, 03:52 AM

Thanks

Lord.Wiggles · 09/11/2006, 01:40 PM

yea, i just got 1 of the 14k reefoptics bulbs too, and its excellent. the color is amazing.
its definently an awsome bulb for the price

Zephrant · 09/12/2006, 01:18 AM

Pretty amazing how many people joined RC just to make a post on this thread....

Here is a short reminder- If someone has offered you anything (discount, product, etc) or if you are financially involved with the product at all, you are not allowed to promote it here on RC.

But welcome to the new members- I hope you chose to post in other threads as well.

Thanks for your help-

Zeph

SaltyMember · 09/12/2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Pretty amazing how many people joined RC just to make a post on this thread....

I thought it was more than a little odd myself.

92cg60 · 09/12/2006, 08:43 AM

I would never promote and/or support a product or service unless it truly deserved it...
And no, I'm not involved in any financial kickbacks or discounts in any way whatsoever. I've been lurking on another reef site (swf) for over a year, mainly using there search function until recently finding this one.
Thanks for the welcome... I plan to be here for awhile.

wakeboarder2342 · 09/12/2006, 09:44 AM

Good point zephrant!! i didnt notice that!

However i have been here on reefcentral for years and i can provide an unbias opionon as soon as my bulbs arrive!!

stay tuned

Muleball39 · 09/26/2006, 09:50 AM

How are the Bulbs working out for you?

wakeboarder2342 · 09/26/2006, 10:12 AM

Ok i have had these bulbs up and goign for a bit now so i feel i can make a fair comparison! And no i have nothing to do with reefoptics or anyone else selling them, i just thought id provide an unbias opionion onthe bulbs

1- i purchased 10k,14k and 20k bulbs for testing in both 250 and 400 watts. I will post pics soon so everyone can see how they look, i want to give them another week or so to burn in.

So far i am very impressed with the bulbs, the 10k was a bit to yellow for my liking without actinic supplementation. the 20k was my favorite looking but the 14k is a nice inbetween that i think will provide the best growth with the all around nicest color. I am now running onmy system 2 20k 250s and 1 14k 400. If i was doing it again i would have gone the opposite and ran 1 400 20k and 2 14k 250s as i think the 14ks will have better growth.

i then moved teh 10k onto my frag tank and will keep you posted on how that works out.

so far i highly recommend them and for 35 bucks you cant beat them. they fire everytime perfecty on my coralvue electronic ballasts and look great!

SaltyMember · 09/26/2006, 11:03 AM

thanks for the update wakeboarder. I would love to see the pics.

kdblove_99 · 09/26/2006, 12:14 PM

DO they have 250W double ended 14K bulbs?Couldnt find any?

Muleball39 · 09/26/2006, 12:52 PM

When I look up ReefOptic Bulbs there is no matches. Do you know the name of the ebayer that sells them? Or the search were I can find them.

09/08/2006, 10:28 AM	#1
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Cheap Ebay metal halide bulbs Ok i have been looking for new bulbs for my 180 and came acrossed the cheap reefoptic bulbs on ebay. they are 30 dollars each and come in 175,250,400 with either 10k,14k or 20k spectrum. Im never the one to cheap out on bulbs but i thought as a service to other reefcentral members i would give these a try. I bought the following 1- 400 watt 14k 1- 250 watt 10k 1 250 watt 20k I will post pictures and give my opionon on these bulbs when they arrive. I wish i had a par meter to check the output butsince i dont we will have to go on look and growth. anyone else done a similar test? i searched and heard a few negative commments but none that seemed to actually come from experiance, just people saying dont buy cheap bulbs! however i remember back when you couldnt buy a bulb for under 100 bucks and a 65 dollar bulb was considered the "cheap one"

09/08/2006, 12:08 PM	#2
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,101	wow...those are cheap...sure they're not used...? __________________ A wasted weekend is not a weekend wasted! Current Tank Info: New 55G at home

09/08/2006, 02:05 PM	#6
wrassie86 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Thonotosassa,FL Posts: 1,812	Ive been using the 250w 10k there alittle yellow but not bad, i think XM 10k's are yellower.so far i have no complaints.altho they are a pulse start bulbs.and i have probe start ballast.so i'm not sure if they would look different with a more compadible ballast __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef.

09/09/2006, 08:06 PM	#10
AquaticDreams Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1	Cheap Bulbs The better title for this is inexpensive bulbs. I Just got my second 175w 14k bulb. Color is great! I am replacing 2 bulbs that were 14k but the color was way off. These ReefOptics bulbs are a great deal. I run 2 -175w 14k and 2 110w vho's and everything is doing great. I have always used CoralLife bulbs but that came to a halt when I tested these. I own my own aquarium company and I will order and use these bulbs in my customers fish tanks. I have great faith in them

09/09/2006, 10:51 PM	#12
wrassie86 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Thonotosassa,FL Posts: 1,812	I think it all comes down to how long they will last.I've tried sun aquatics bulbs before there about the same price.but they did not last very long at all.i got them replaced under warrenty, but only one out of 4 ever lasted.And since these are pulse start bulbs i'd have to wonder what the par levels are on a probe start ballast.i can say the 250w 10k bulbs are pretty bright.I had thoughts of picking up the 14K and 20k to try also.(heh 4 bulbs for price of 2 name brand) __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef.

09/08/2006, 12:50 PM	#3
1package Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WV Posts: 981	I used some cheap $35 EBay bulbs and thought they were fine until I changed bulbs to a common brand and my SPS colored up a bunch afterwards. If you have SPS, if your ballast will fire the CoralVue Reeflux, they are relatively inexpensive at the Reef Stop. Key - if your ballast will fire them. Is it had not been for the SPS, I would not have noticed the difference in the EBay bulbs.

09/08/2006, 12:51 PM	#4
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Yep they are new, i spoke with the seller this morning, says he is uses them on his reef with great results, 100 dollars shipped for 2 250s and 1 400 watt bulb, cant beat that if they are decent!!

09/08/2006, 12:56 PM	#5
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Ya i have used the coralvue ones before, i actually have coralvue electronic ballasts. i am more buying these for testing purposes to see if there is really a difference. i think i might put 1 side of the tank on these bulbs and the other on an xm or coralvue and see if can tell the difference, i will put the same corals under each for exact comparison

09/08/2006, 06:53 PM	#7
tingram Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 270	I got the 250W 20k's to replace my 14k Hamiltons and love them. I still supplement with VHo Acintics too, but boy what a difference. I am sure to buy again, especially for that price.

09/08/2006, 07:07 PM	#9
tingram Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 270	Using two Coralvue ballasts...

09/09/2006, 10:13 PM	#11
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Glad to hear a few positives on these bulbs, if they can sell a decent bulb for 35 dollars shipped then i think this will drive the price of competing bulbs way down. Just what the hobby needs, i have always found it interesting that you can buy a 5500k 250 watt bulb for 10 bucks but the bulbs that are useful for reefs were 6 times that at least. Goes to show that if something is for a hobby the price is a joke, i cant imagine it takes more materials or labor to make a 10k bulb vs a 5k one but i could be wrong!

09/10/2006, 10:07 AM	#13
mrdc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 51	I bought the same reef optic bulbs from the same guy on ebay about a month ago. So far I am very happy with the looks and the price. I guess time will tell on how long they will last.

09/11/2006, 03:52 AM	#15
arowanadream Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 63	Thanks

09/11/2006, 01:40 PM	#16
Lord.Wiggles Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: omaha nebraska Posts: 1	yea, i just got 1 of the 14k reefoptics bulbs too, and its excellent. the color is amazing. its definently an awsome bulb for the price __________________ wiggles Current Tank Info: very nicely loaded, i plan to make as stocked as i can.

09/12/2006, 01:18 AM	#17
Zephrant Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,149	Pretty amazing how many people joined RC just to make a post on this thread.... Here is a short reminder- If someone has offered you anything (discount, product, etc) or if you are financially involved with the product at all, you are not allowed to promote it here on RC. But welcome to the new members- I hope you chose to post in other threads as well. Thanks for your help- Zeph

09/12/2006, 08:43 AM	#19
92cg60 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WA Posts: 50	I would never promote and/or support a product or service unless it truly deserved it... And no, I'm not involved in any financial kickbacks or discounts in any way whatsoever. I've been lurking on another reef site (swf) for over a year, mainly using there search function until recently finding this one. Thanks for the welcome... I plan to be here for awhile.

09/12/2006, 09:44 AM	#20
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Good point zephrant!! i didnt notice that! However i have been here on reefcentral for years and i can provide an unbias opionon as soon as my bulbs arrive!! stay tuned

09/26/2006, 09:50 AM	#21
Muleball39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 137	How are the Bulbs working out for you? __________________ When lying on your death bed, will you be more upset with the things that you did or the things you didn't do? Current Tank Info: 90 gal. two 250w MH, two 110w VHO, 40gal. sump

09/26/2006, 10:12 AM	#22
wakeboarder2342 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 316	Ok i have had these bulbs up and goign for a bit now so i feel i can make a fair comparison! And no i have nothing to do with reefoptics or anyone else selling them, i just thought id provide an unbias opionion onthe bulbs 1- i purchased 10k,14k and 20k bulbs for testing in both 250 and 400 watts. I will post pics soon so everyone can see how they look, i want to give them another week or so to burn in. So far i am very impressed with the bulbs, the 10k was a bit to yellow for my liking without actinic supplementation. the 20k was my favorite looking but the 14k is a nice inbetween that i think will provide the best growth with the all around nicest color. I am now running onmy system 2 20k 250s and 1 14k 400. If i was doing it again i would have gone the opposite and ran 1 400 20k and 2 14k 250s as i think the 14ks will have better growth. i then moved teh 10k onto my frag tank and will keep you posted on how that works out. so far i highly recommend them and for 35 bucks you cant beat them. they fire everytime perfecty on my coralvue electronic ballasts and look great!

09/26/2006, 11:03 AM	#23
SaltyMember Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 1,177	thanks for the update wakeboarder. I would love to see the pics.

09/26/2006, 12:14 PM	#24
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Longmont,CO Posts: 8,720	DO they have 250W double ended 14K bulbs?Couldnt find any?

09/26/2006, 12:52 PM	#25
Muleball39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 137	When I look up ReefOptic Bulbs there is no matches. Do you know the name of the ebayer that sells them? Or the search were I can find them. __________________ When lying on your death bed, will you be more upset with the things that you did or the things you didn't do? Current Tank Info: 90 gal. two 250w MH, two 110w VHO, 40gal. sump