Discount MH bulbs are they worth it

Just as the title says.

Has anyone bought one and done a side by side comparison? ie compared to coralife etc?

I'm trying to tighten my reef budget (ha! fat chance).... and found some bulbs for more then half the price.

Are their lives shorter? Input! someone! anyone!

thanks,
Ryan;D

 

I have never tried those inexpensive bulbs. I would think you get what you pay for. I am using Phoenix bulbs they were 33% off $39 a bulb 150 watt from Marine Depot. They are alwasy listing a different bulb that is on sale. Just keep an eye on their site. I would think those other bulbs would die pretty fast but I have never used them personally. Sometimes Hellolights.com has sales too. Good Luck

 

you get what you pay for in lights...cheaper lights might have a different spectrum, not last as long, etc. I have not personally tried this or used a PAR meter but read and talked to many that have told me that light bulbs are not something to save money with, esp in reef tanks.

 

I wouldn't mess with it either. Lighting and skimming.......YGWYPF.

 

Ya.... my thoughts were the same as you guys... just wondering if anyone had bought and used any of them. The lighting is one area I don't want to skimp on.