Where to buy bulbs?

[Hotrod32487]

Where do y'all buy your bulbs from? I've bought some before from Aquatic Factory (http://stores.ebay.com/Aquatic-Factoryurl) on Ebay and they were cheap and work great but I wonder if there is anywhere better. If not, at least maybe some of you have learned about a new place...

[caferacermike]

I'm a huge Hellolights fan.

I've nothing but good things to say about Fredric at Coral reef bazaar, a local sponsor.

[jroescher]

I bought my last lights from this guy:
ReefOptics bulbs (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZwhulljr)

[erick]

As I am cheap, and live off of a teachers salary, and the fact that I am pretty dumb; I have recently purchased mh bulbs from ebay. New ones, no brand name was given (i figure chinese mfg, but if they work who cares?), although the feedback from buyers was decent. See auction items from greatdel, as he sells mh bulbs. Also search aquarium reef bulbs, and there is someone that sells mh bulbs for $23 ea. + $7 shipping. I have not recieved either bulbs yet, but will post how they look when they arrive.

[hobogato]

i always try to support local suppliers and sponsors. the problem with that is we have quite a few of them here (yeah, like that is really a problem) so it is hard to spread my business to each of them. most of the lfs here in SA can order any bulb you want, or you can go thru frederick at coralreefbazaar.com (he is in austin - kinda) the price from each of these local sources is generally the same, but maybe a little more than you would pay for some of those cheaper bulbs you can find online. to me, it is worth it to pay a little more to deal with a local person and help support our local businesses (sponsors) and economy.

[Bill S]

I try and buy my bulbs locally. CB has VHOs in stock most of the time. Louis at AW ordered my DE 400W Hamiltons for me, and his price was as good as I could find online. I try NOT to buy off-brand bulbs, too many of them aren't "real".

[murkywaters]

I did a pretty thorough internet search last night as my BF "has to have" new mh's. I did not find anything that was better than the prices at CB especially when you consider shipping. Plus when you go you get to look at the cool new stock.

[erick]

Well, as if you couldnt figure this one out..... the $23.99 light from ebay (kennedy webster elec. co.) came in today. great price, quick shipping, figured the bulb was chinese, but then..... Upon opening, uh oh..http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q316/erick_swanson/light.jpg

light on left is old XM, on right new chinese. Notice the smaller size? Also, interior design of components is different. AND, appears that there is a little bit of mercury sliding around inside the cathode. Weeeellllll, I havent fired it up yet, so more on that later. Bulb from greatdel has not arrived, nor have I heard from them, bummer.

[erick]

O.K. so I dont think its 14k.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q316/erick_swanson/light2.jpg

I have an older 15k bulb on the left side (notice the blue hue), and the new "14k" on the right (notice the green hue? :angry ). Definately not what I was expecting. But, as always, I have to find out the hard way. Well, maybe it will burn in a little more blue :unsure . Lets see how the other one is, if it ever arrives :( More to follow.....

[alton]

CB Pets for VHO's and Coral Vues. Aquatic Warehouse for Compact Fluorescents. I understand Polkster is also great for lamps and ballast. I ordered lamps only one time and they all came in broken, never again I buy from local fish stores. Sorry to hear about your bad experience Erick.

[erick]

Update, well the bulb from greatdel on ebay came in, they waited 4 days to ship, but it got here in 3, so I guess 7 days aint so bad. Its small like the other bulb from Kennedy elc., but its color is great! As blue as the 15k XM, so I guess 1 out of 2 isnt so bad.

[ratboy]

+ 1 for Polkster/ Frederick @ coral reefs bazzar. My first dealing with him was a warranty issue for coralvue ballasts he didnt sell to me. Ive been buying my bulbs from him ever since..

[Viet-Tin]

Another one for frederick. Great guy to deal with and will continue to purchase bulbs through him. He even delivered them to me.