This is not right!!

[CaptainK]

Hey Everyone,
I will try to make this short,
I have the CSL 2x28W with CSL newest ballasts that can support the "newer" 32W bulbs.
I inquired about the "newer bulbs" from an online company and got this answer:

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We took a good look at the new bulbs when they came out and talked to our sales rep at CSL about it. Bottom line is that they are the same bulb. The old ones were made by Panasonic and the new ones are made in China, but they are the same - The only thing that changed is the number they print on the box.
As far as the 32W bulbs, in this case it really is the same bulb - we peeled the label off and it's marked as a 28W underneath. As a result we see no need to charge people $4 more for a relabeled bulb. Just get the 28W - it's the same.

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Has anyone else heard about this? Is it just me or does this just seem not right.. to mark it one thing and it is actually another.
But if it is true will then CHEERS to this online company for not charging the extra money.

-CaptK

[Ninong]

CaptK ~

This issue came up several months back. An LFS in New Hampshire found that some of their "new" 32w PC lamps from CSL actually had 28w stencilled on them (very, very faint) under the new 32w label. CSL had all kinds of excuses as to how this might have happened, including the claim that most of their workers don't read or write English (yeah, right! like 28 and 32 are different in other languages! ). Anyway, CSL told the LFS to just return them and they would be replaced.

CSL claims that the newer 32w and 65w lamps have "heftier filaments" compared to the older 28w and 55w lamps.

I also heard that CSL dropped Panasonic as their supplier and switched to a Chinese manufacturer at the same time as their new and improved lamps hit the market. You won't get any straight answers out of the company. None of the people supplying power compact fluorescent or metal halide lamps to the aquarium hobby is willing to give any straight answers. They try to keep everything secret.

Ninong

[organicreefer]

ninong is right about the aquarium lighting scam.i used to be able to order 10k halides through a lighting supply then they were suddenly cut off no real explenation even to them the manager told me the aquarium dealers had a lock on them.also used to be able to get a 65k for 50 bucks through a hydroponics store..not any more they renamed the bulb to sunmaster and want a 100 bucks for it

[CaptainK]

Thanks Guys,
So, should I continue my quest for 32W bulbs or should I just get the 28W's?
I have also seen that they now have a 10K bulb along with the usuall 6700 and actin.
Thanks,
CaptK