Is saving money 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?acti ... gory&id=14

Has anyone tried them or should I just keep looking.



Here is what they have for specs:

Product Overview:

Free Shipping!

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

 

[Leopardshark]

I think they are commonly called Sun bulbs, they are new but supposedly they are great bulbs.
For the price, I see no reason to try them
Marco

 

[PeeJ]

What do you mean you see no reason to try them? The 10k 250 watt bulb is 20 dollars cheaper. 20 dollars to me is quite a chunk of cash to save.

your statement seems like it should be read "i see no reason not to try them" was it a typo?

 

[MattM]

The "Sun" bulbs are Chinese imports. Probably made by the same or a similar OEM comapny as Sunburst, XM, Blueline, etc.

We've looked at just about all of these bulbs and while they are certainly cheap, we've yet to find a Chinese bulb that can match the long-term perfomance of the German (BLV, Aqualine-Buschke, Osram/Radium) or Japanese (Iwasaki, Ushio) brands.

You wouldn't expect a Chinese-made car to be the equal of a Mercedes or Lexus, would you? Same deal here.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather pay $59 for an Aqualine-Buschke 175W 10000K that will perform well for 12-18 months than $35 for a Chinese bulb that will drop 40% of its lumens in the first 2 months.

 

[taikonaut]

It is very difficult to make MH bulbs. I am very doubtful that Chinese have the QA to make good bulb yet. Maybe wait another 2 or 3 years.

 

[Leopardshark]

PeeJ,
sorry I miss a word I should have say "for the price I see no reason NOT to try them"
Marco

 

[teevee]

It is very difficult to make MH bulbs. I am very doubtful that Chinese have the QA to make good bulb yet. Maybe wait another 2 or 3 years.

You are quite incorrect. Chinese factories are some of the most advanced on the planet. A search on Google for "Chinese Metal Halide Manufacturing" will yield a large number of factories equipped to manufacture MH bulbs. Also note that the vast majority of manufacturing of high-end electronics is done in China at this time, and that Chinese factories are notorious for their ability to duplicate products created elsewhere, leading to a significant increase in counterfit products in the last decade or so, at this point ranging from plasma televisions to Prada handbags, such good copies that even the patent holders cannot identify the real products versus the copies. Any intelligent manufacturing company in North America or Europe has or is working on transfering their production facilities to China, where labour is far cheaper and as noted quality remains extremely high.

The Sun bulbs are most certainly Chinese, if you contact the importer he will confirm this for you. Tests have been done on the Sun bulbs and although the burn time of the bulbs has yet to be determined, the colour and output are comparable to more expensive bulbs.

 

[Robf]

Extreme snippage...

... German (BLV, Aqualine-Buschke, Osram/Radium) or Japanese (Iwasaki, Ushio) brands....

Matt, doesn't BLV = Ushio? The Giesemann I purchased at Inland came with what I thought was a Ushio 10kk lamp. When I replaced the lamp in the spring, I ordered a ushio, and I received another BLV "hitlite". I just assumed Ushio and BLV were one and the same.

....
$20 per 9 months to a year isn't a whole lot in my opinion, especially when it comes to your lamp. There's lots of new low-cost options as of late, and it's really going to be your decision in the end... But if you would like my opinion, I'd try a quality, staple bulb such as an Aqualine or a BLV for starters. When you decide to switch out in 9 months or so, you'll have a good frame of reference.

Just my opinion. You're ahead of the game by starting off with Metal Halide. I've had every upgrade known to reefkeeping before settling on my 2 halide fixtures. One's a Giesemann, the other is an AB aquaspacelight mini. If I had purchased these YEARS ago, I would've saved a bundle. Excellent decision, IMHO.

Here's a link of a comparison of some of the more popular lamps available. They're all 250w moguls, but there are many manufacturers that also make the 175w moguls. Check it out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... did=254667

Good luck with your choices.

R.

 

[MattM]

Matt, doesn't BLV = Ushio?

Yes and no...

Ushio makes bulbs in Japan. BLV makes bulbs in Germany and Belgium. BLV is owned by Ushio.

Like Oceanic and AGA. One owns the other, but they do make different products.

 

[Robf]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Regardless, I've been pleased with the BLVs and the Aqualines... heck, I've been real impressed with everything from Germany that has to do with my reef.

 

[Emperator]

ugh is it just me or does

CRI = 65

stand out. that is a horrible CRI, spend $20 andget some real bulbs.

ushios have a CRI around 85-90.

 

[sunaquatics]

Hi,

I am the owner of Sun Aquatics. Unfortunately the bulb in question is not a Sun Aquatics bulb.

Our bulbs are made in China With German KnowHow, Components, Equipments in ISO 9001 Certofoed facility.

Thanks

Venki Worathur