Feedback for T5 light bulb vendors & 2G11 BASE 55W bulb Vendors

[Becca]

I just wanted to share my experience/feedback for two vendors I have been working with on ordering replacement light bulbs for my orchidarium and exo-terra set up.

My first order was through Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc. - Lighting and Light Bulb Distributor Atlanta GA. and they have the best price around for the light bulbs I need for my Grand Cayman Orchidarium, it takes (6) 2G11 BASE 55W bulbs. I called and emailed them a few times and they never seemed to have gotten tired of me bothering them....lol.

I also emailed several times with Horticulturesource.com (Major Brand (GE, Philips & Sylvania) T5 HO Lamps - Fluorescent T5 (T-5) High Output (HO) Lamps - Lamps, Tubes & Bulbs - HPS, MH, T5, T8, T10, T12, HQI, etc. - Discount Specialty Farm, Greenhouse & Garden Supply: pH, soil, light, pump, Hydroponic, co2) for ordering my replacement bulbs for my GE 24W T5 bulbs. This company has one of the best prices I have seen and they also have top notch customer service!

I ended up ordering the GE 24W T5 bulbs through the company I ordered my other bulbs from (Atlantalightbulbs.com) since while I had them on the phone I checked on their price since what I wanted wasn't listed on their website. The T5 bulbs were almost half the price of the other great price I was about to pay but hadn't placed my order with them yet. So I went from $11.60 per 24W T5 bulb to $6.94 (6500K) and $6.00 (3000K) per bulb and Atlanta Light Bulb said they would up date their website with these bulbs. If it wasn't for them having the cheaper price I would have gone through Horticulture Source for them!

Shipping is pretty comparable through both companies are not very expensive. Even with shipping, their prices still beat the other companies that offer free shipping but higher priced bulbs!

Hope this will help those who are looking for good replacement bulb vendors with great prices and great customer service!

[Becca]

Just thought I would give an update on my replacement bulbs I ordered and started using back in Febuary. These were not all name brand bulbs I received for the 2G11 BASE 55W bulbs but I was assured they would perform the same. Since I mix two different kelvins, one half was an EIKO brand and the other was Osram. So far I have had two of the EIKO bulbs burn out already, only in use for 9 months! The bulbs are rated for 20,000 hours! Good thing I kept a few of my older bulbs in case I needed something to hold me over for ordering a replacement. I guess for now on I'll stick with the name brand bulbs, I never had them burn out on me during the year and a half time period I had the last set in for!