Anybody try the cheaper DE Halide bulbs?

[stingythingy45]

I see that online stores like Fishstreet have 250 watt DE bulbs for like $25.
Growing tired of paying $70-$80 and wondering if anybody has tried them.
They seem to have good reviews on the site.

 

[this is me]

I use Pheonix 14K at about $50-$60 a pop. Sometime they're on sale for $40ea.
I replace mine every 2000 hours. Roughly a year with 6 hours of running time. I have my T5s running 8 hours a day. Most people run their light way too long.

 

[badlands25]

Soslighting.com had Phoenix 250 De 14k for 40$ . Really got to search the site. They are hidden

 

[this is me]

Here's an article on MH life. Good reading.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php

Unless you want 100% output all all the time, these bulb will last longer than a year with 80% output. In fact, it's drops to 80% within 3-6 months but it only gradually drop from there. So I'm not sure if changing bulbs very six months is a good idea.

 

[Dekon]

Interesting article.