Ebay bulbs

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by sailorguy, Sep 2, 2012.

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  1. sailorguy

    sailorguy Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,186
    Location:
    new jersey
    Just passing on some first hand exsperience with cheap ebay replacement bulbs.I was using 14k pheonix in my 250watt sunpod and was afraid it might be losing it's spectrum as it was almost two years old,so I bought a 20k replacement off ebay.I was thinking 20k might give me more color that I wanted.At first I didn't notice much difference from my old pheonix,but it was okay.Today after about five months of use the ebay bulb crapped out,would not fire.I dug my old pheonix bulb out of the closet put it back in and my tank looks better,bluer and more colorful.
     
    sailorguy, Sep 2, 2012
    sailorguy, Sep 2, 2012
    #1

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  2. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2009
    Messages:
    7,072
    Location:
    Billings Montana
    lol you get what you pay for. Ebay bulbs are ify.
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Sep 2, 2012
    ingtar_shinowa, Sep 2, 2012
    #2
  3. thereefshack

    thereefshack Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2012
    Messages:
    62
    Ebay bulbs are junk... I did think so at first. Buy a good bulb and put the two next to each other haha no contest. One of the worst thing I have ever bought... lol
     
    thereefshack, Sep 10, 2012
    thereefshack, Sep 10, 2012
    #3
  4. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Messages:
    11,284
    Location:
    shenzhen Guangdong PRC
    This seems to be typically the case Sailorguy

    many people have experienced short life span on these lamps (various types and brands)
    in addition many have noted that these cheaper lamps tend to lose their color temperature far sooner than the better quality lamps will ( one experienced reefer told me within 3 months the tank went from a subtle blue color to a bright yellow )

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Sep 10, 2012
    steve wright, Sep 10, 2012
    #4