Metal halide question.

Jmcdaniel0 · Feb 28, 2015

I am in the market for a new bulb for my mh fixture. I am really looking for a nice actinic blue but still keep par. I was looking for XM or ushio bulbs and I ran across this knockoff

Amazon.com : 150 Watt 20000K Ushio Compatible 150W 20K DE HQI Metal Halide Aquarium Coral Reef Bulb : Pet Supplies

What do you all think? How could I test this bulb to see if it worth a flip? For the price if it is even close to the quality of a true Ushio then the 15.00 price tag is very nice.

Let me know what your opinions are.

aslmx · Feb 28, 2015

I haven't used that one but I did try another cheap double end ebay bulb and it was horrible. Very dim and yellow. I did use the plus rite single end brand and they worked but I would change them every 6 months.

WnYreefer · Feb 28, 2015

The Phoenix 14k is a good bulb. Google some pics and it has good par values.

cracker · Feb 28, 2015

Are your fixtures single or double ended? I use Radium 20k bulbs, not too blue not to yellow. I use SOS lighting if I'm allowed to give them a shout.

Rob Top1 · Feb 28, 2015

Get what you pay for. I tried cheap eBay bulbs, 20k and when turned on the color was perfect, with in minuets it was yellow and junk. They were so cheap I got four st the same time, all behaved that way

aslmx · Mar 1, 2015

cracker said:
Are your fixtures single or double ended? I use Radium 20k bulbs, not too blue not to yellow. I use SOS lighting if I'm allowed to give them a shout.

I also buy my Radiums from SOS. I run Radiums on a galaxy hqi switchable ballast and they can last around 16 months for me.

Jmcdaniel0 · Mar 1, 2015

cracker said:
Are your fixtures single or double ended? I use Radium 20k bulbs, not too blue not to yellow. I use SOS lighting if I'm allowed to give them a shout.

They are double ended .

Currently I have a phoenix 14k 150 watt. It's nice, but getting older and not quite a blue as I would like.