what bulb should I buy? (1 Viewer)

[Carlos]

I just went shopping online for a new bulb for my tank. a 150w HQI/2 sided.
On 1 website I found prices for the same bulb starting at $50 up to $140, depending on the make. the makes were current/ coralife/ xm/ hamilton tec corp/ aquamedia/ USHIO/ Icecap, what should I buy? is there such a difference that justifies the difference in price? Thanks

 

[Kemah]

If you have an electronic ballast get the ushio if magnetic get the hamilton. Just MO

 

[Carlos]

how do I know what kind of ballast, and what's the difference in ballast and lights? thanks

 

[AquaNerd]

there are a ton of differences in brand of the bulbs and types of ballasts.

what brand ballast do you have? or what brand is the light fixture?

 

[Rotarymagic]

I'm a phoenix fanboy, HQI ballast makes a phoenix whiter (and brighter) with a hint of blue... electronic ballasts typically make them alittle dimmer and bluer. It blows away hamiltons, ushios, xms, or anything else that is a "color" bulb with regard to PAR.