MH Bulbs

I have this fixture 48' Metal Halide T5 HO Aquarium Light 150 HQI Moon NEW! - eBay (item 180446912574 end time Feb-16-10 10:39:20 PST)
But I don't know what brand it is and I'm going to be changing the bulbs soon.
Do I just buy any 150 watt MH bulb and put it in?

 

The description says it includes HQI bulbs, so you need double ended bulbs, besides that you can use any 150w MH bulb.

 

Alright thanx, Does it have to be a 15k Bulb? If not which one is better 10k 14k 15k 20k?

 

The bulbs that come with the fixture are Chinese junk and will not last long and at best be close to the proper K values .. Better figure on new lamps ASAP I have seen that light new out of the box.. Its a knock off of the NOVA lightset up

 

there are more than one type of MH bulb pulse start and probe start, and both are not compatible with all fixtures. somewhere on the bulb itself should be an ANSI code. (something like M58/E) as long as you get a bulb with the same ANSI code it will be compatible with your fixture.


also for the sake of your livestock, try and get the same color temperature on the light, so that nothing changes in the color spectrum their used too. your link says it came with 15,000K bulbs so I'd replace them with the same value bulbs, or at least reasonable close

 

Huh lol That was confusing, Is my fixture no good or the lamps?

 

Probably bulbs, they make money sending you a fixture with $15 bulbs instead of $70 bulbs

 

Bulbs are the really junk part like mentioned they get the 10 to 15.00 lamps as a selling point hey free bulbs LOL nothing worth much was ever free I found .. Maybe its just my luck ): Fixture should do you fine for a few yrs .

 

I agree... Also, keep in mind that the ballasts in these cheaper units will not power good bulbs correctly & will burn them out quickly.. I bought a cheap fixture on ebay & replaced the MH ballast, bulb, & PC bulbs. Granted I did incorporate this when I bought it & was a test I wanted to do. I did post that on here..

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/30-odyssea-metal-halide-system-380w-review-60610.html

You do get what you pay for, but keep in mind. If you have the know how or a friend to do it. You can make a cheap fixture do what you want for less money...

 

I'm thinking about buying this fixture Marineland Marine Series Pro Metal Halide Fixture 2X150W HQI & 4X54W T5, 48 inch Is this a good one?