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Halide Bulbs. . . a thought....

C

concept3

I've been contemplating on going with a "generic" type bulb- just for fun

From my general understanding, there are only a handful of aquaria type bulb manufacturers out there, and I would like to see if anyone has tried a no-name or less known bulb in the market specific to our hobby. Apparently, there are European made bulbs, and Australasian made bulbs, and a few manufactured in the continental US.

Not trying to start anything here, but I am curious to see if anyone has had good luck with a general type bulb, but let's be realistic, a halide bulb from Home depot does not count since they are mostly around 5000K (unless used for a fuge). I've had my fair share of bulbs in the past from XM, Iwasaki, Coralvue, AqualineBuschke, and it's not about trying to save pennies and what not, just curious to see what other bulbs could work for our hobby.

A few I found just doing a simple online search
Marine color bulbs:
http://www.marinecolor.com/250wdetail.htm

Light Spectrum Enterprises:
http://www.lightspectrumstore.com/servlet/the-662/14K-250W-250-WATT/Detail





and a rather interesting read about VHO and NA flourescent bulbs:
http://www.icecapinc.com/www.icecapinc.com_rev1.htm.pdf


anyone care to share? I'm currently using 6500K Iwasakis and VHO actinics, and I'm due for a halide switch soon!
 
D

DaveK

Getting new MH bulbs is always a tough call. Like you I have tried quite a few of the mainstream bulbs, and in some cases, found them wanting.

I've even used the 5000K bulbs, and they will grow corals nicely, but they make the tank look very yellow.

In my last replacement I purchased three 250w 10000K AqualineBuschke bulbs. Two look about right, one looks rather blue. So even name brand bulbs can have differences.

The best source of information on bulbs that I have found is Sanjay's reef lighting guide, now at this location (offsite link) - http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

It covers most bulbs used in the hobby. I would say that if you can find tests for the "Brand X" bulb you want to try there, compare it to other similar bulbs and see it it's something that will work for you. Obviously, it's possible to produce two bulbs that put out light that looks similar, but is actually quite different.
 
J

jonathan.

I used the stock bulb that came with my CADLights tank. It was pretty yellow. Pretty ugly. Switched it out to a simple JBJ bulb (or whoever makes THEIR stock bulbs) and the corals grew better and the color was much nicer.
 
jimroth

jimroth

On my first SPS tank I used the very reasonable 6500K Iwasaki. The light is a bit yellow but you get used to it, ie it looks normal to you after a while. That bulb has better PAR value than almost anything, and it's quite inexpensive.

I think there is some hooey among bulb brands, but the specs ARE different. You seem to have to pay a lot for that subtle difference, and I don't know if the corals really care. Probably they just shrug and adapt.

Roght now I've got a couple of TWO YEAR OLD XM 10K's over my expensive ORA frags. I know I need to replace them, I just don't know if the frags know (or care).
 
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