Doing recon work for all Maastards

[sareef]

Let me start by saying I read posts here daily but rarely post. I'm 7 years into this hobby and am still learning.

The recon work I am talking about involves metal halide bulbs. I receintly found out that my 8 month old Reeflux 250w 10k bulb is what is helping my algae problem. I know it is not the only cause but it definitely is playing a part. While looking on a popular auction site for bulbs I came across a guy in Chicago that sells metal halide bulbs at crazy prices. I have no delusions that they are top of the line and I actaully expect these to be junk. Anyway, I purchased one and it arrived yesterday (250w 14k) and initially it looks somewhat yellow. (What is burn in time on these things?) The bulb ran me $30.99 including shipping so if it truely is junk I'm not out much.

My question is does anyone have the equipment to check the spectrum that this bulb is giving off and at what intensity?

Thanks for the input,
Will

[Jeff]

i've been curious about those bulbs my self, this will be interseting to follow.

[Texreefer]

burn in time could be up to 100 hrs

[safeuerwehr]

I recently bought two 250w 10k coralvue bulbs from an online auction site aswell, the bulbs came in and were stamped accordingly but when i fired them up the have a 14k hue. so instead of chrisp white they look cool blue..

[sareef]

The 250w 10K I was running had more of a crisp white look. I went to 14K to get a little 'blue' in the tank.
Will

[urban79]

I been having mine for sum time now. and mine are on a good chunk of time.

[Jeff]

i just found this on rc http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=924715

[jroescher]

After reading that thread, I think I'll be trying those out also. I'm up for replacing my bulb's soon.

[Jeff]

i just bought 3, 2-250w 14k and 1-250w 10k. they should be in by tues or wed. so i will update the info when they get in.

[LoneStar]

Keep us up to date Jeff. I will be in the market for bulbs in about the same time they get burned in on your tank :)

[Jeff]

i got the bulbs in last night and put them in and the look good so far. it's a little to blue for my taste but they should lighten up as they burn in. picts to follow soon.

[caferacermike]

I've been praying they finally release the DE as rumored. A lot of people on RC are convinced.

Please keep in mind that only the reefoptics guy was cited as having good bulbs and service. I am not convinced that that the other bulbs are different though. I am pretty sure they are all originating from the same Chinese factory.

[jroescher]

It looks like he's testing the DE's now before he releases them for sale.



http://www.lareefclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3553&highlight=

[Jeff]

these bulbs are not wrasse proof. i just closed the canopy and my wrasse jumped over the center brace and hit the middle bulb. the bulb came apart and half of it landed in the tank and the other half was still lit up. is there any way i can attach the two halves together since the bulb still works?

[caferacermike]

Super glue? LOL. Besides worrying about if the inner quartz were to burst I'm sure it's just like a DE now. You'd need a UV shield.