Is saving $ on these bulbs worth it???

[BIGGUN]

Hey guys,

Brand newbie here.

Been reading and reading and reading and just when I figure out exactly what to do some thread somewhere changes my mind. Now that I have my salt choices down to only two, and my filtration down to two ideas I am deciding on lighting.

I will probably build a 2 175w MH and 2 PC 65W canopy for a 90 gal reef tank. I'm still looking for the PC stuff, but I found a 2 MH and 2PC reflector for $50(no sockets) and the MH ballasts for $33. I also found 10K 175w MH bulbs EXTREMELY cheap.

Here is the link:

http://www.insidesun.com/index.php?a...category&id=14

Has anyone tried them or should I just keep looking.



Here is what they have for specs:

Product Overview:

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The 10k Metal Halide bulbs have a Crisp Ice White appearance, full spectrum - the combination of different wavelengths produce different colors in the spectrum and appear to the naked eye as crisp ice white light. This bulb is great for aquariums and coral growth as well as plants in their seedling and vegatative states.



Product Details:

Average Rated Life (hr): 8000V/6000H
Base: mogul
Bulb Wattage: 175
Color Rendering Index (CRI): 65
Color Temperature (K): 10000
Diameter (in): 1.875
Hot Restrike Time (min): 5-10
Lamp Finish: clear
Light Center Length - LCL (in): 5.75
Maximum Overall Length - MOL (in): 9.75
Nominal Wattage (W): 175
Operating Position: Universal
Warm-up Time (min): 3-5


At $35 for 175w and $45 for 250w they sure don't hurt the pocket book too bad. I just don't want to hurt the reef tank too bad either.

Thanks for looking,
BIGGUN

[Reefland]

Hi BIGGUN and Welcome to Reefland!

I have never heard of this company and that leads me to beleive there might be something wrong with them. I would think that someone offering good MH bulbs for aqaurium usage for those prices would have been publicly shared by now. ;) However, I think the important question to ask this company at this point is "WHO" manufacturers these bulbs and go from there.

Secondly, for a 90gal tank, I think you should look at 250w halides to provide the intensity needed to reach the depth of the tank.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[traveller7]

.........Here is the link:

http://www.insidesun.com/index.php?a...category&id=14
................

The pic looks like a Ushio to me and it is funny how the 175, 250, and 400 all use the exact same picture. Somehow I don't think so and your worst fear is that they are unloading those old 10K Vions that were hideous green But who knows there are alot of OEM's out there.