Affordable Metal Halide Aquarium Bulbs

Does anyone know the difference between the more affordable metal halide bulb on ebay and the more expensive ones? I know there is a lot of opinion and most people say that you get what you pay for with aquarium lighting but I am hoping to get an explanation about what is the difference between a $15 and a $80 bulb.

 

Quality and color. Luna

 

Having said this, I have used all kinds of bulbs from $110. to $9 ea and I really dont see any difference in growth. Right now, I have a $9 Odyssea 20k bulb and they're doing great.


Luna

 

What does quality mean? The lights will only last for 6 months? What affect does it on the tank inhabitants?

 

Thanks this is helpful. ;D

 

Quality as in quality in materials used to make the bulb. Luna

 

the more expensive ones bring out colors of corals better, probably because they have a better color spectrum. you see too 14k bulbs may looks the same in terms of light put out. but they can be drastically difference in terms of actual light they put out. 14k is what our eyes see, but its really a mixture of a bunch of wavelengths of light. its like pizza most pizzas have cheese, suace, toppings, crust. most look similar, but taste is drastically different because of different types of ingredients

 

There's a huge difference. If you have SPS a good bulb is a must. If you're keeping LPS and Softies it probably isn't worth buying the expensive stuff. Also placement under the light is a key factor and it may be possible to get away with cheap bulbs if you had a certain SPS right under the light.
Here's a pic when I upgraded:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/icecap-blue-life-vs-odyssea-61218.html

 

I have used all kinds of bulbs and I do have sps corals and I must say that I dont see any difference in growth. Color maybe, but not growth.



Luna

 

Color for sure. Also some farms grow under lower Kelvins for faster growth and switch to higher Kelvins closer to sell time to increase color.