- sprintf: documentation ( source)
<?php
for ($h = 1; $h < 48; $h++) {
$dt = new DateTime(sprintf("2018-03-25 %02u:%02u:00", $h / 2, ($h % 2) * 30));
echo $dt->format("Y-m-d H:i:s -> ");
$dt->setTime(0, 0, 0);
echo $dt->format("Y-m-d H:i:s\n");
}