fluo bulb differences

[oscar83]

i need to get some new fluorescent bulbs for my reef. hellolights.com has the bulbs i want by coralife for $20 and drsfostersmith.com has the same color temp bulbs by zoomed for $13. if i went with the zoomed bulbs i would save like $50 or so. are the coralife bulbs really worth extra money or should i save a few bucks and go with the zoomed bulbs?

 

[mogurnda]

Hard to say. Keep in mind that the color temperature that the manufacturer states may bear little relationship with the actual kelvin value. There is literally no control over such claims. Unlike halides, where someone has actually measured the spectra of different lamps, I don't think anyone has bothered with fluorescents.

If the color temp and longevity are not that important, go with the less expensixe lamps.