Crud on my DE MH Bulbs (Pictures)

[bkv1997]

I just ordered some new bulbs (Pheonix 250w 14k) and they are much much brighter than my old bulbs (Geissmen 250w 14.5k Megachrom).

Anyways after I was done I started examining the bulbs and there is a white film/crust ont he outer bulb.

I have tried windex (no luck), White Vinegar on a paper towl sitting on it for over an hour (no luck). Has anyone ever had a similiar experience or have any suggestions as to what it could be?

Thanks in advance
Brandon

 

[hawkeye31657]

did you clean them before turning them on what ever was on them is burned in them now

 

[ct_vol]

Are those your Phoenix, or Giesemann's???

 

[bkv1997]

Those are the old geismanns.

They were brand new when i put them in the Pendant last September. I clean the outside of the glass shield once a month.

 

[ct_vol]

Weird... Why'd you change bulbs???

 

[bkv1997]

I had been thinking of upgrading to 400 watt MHs, since I'm now almost all SPS with a few other nice corals.

I was talking with Jay at Premium Aquatics about the 400 watt DE systems and he suggested I stay with the 250 and highly recommended those bulbs(pheonix 14k)...

I told him i just wasn't happy with the way things looked and he said try these bulbs.. etc, etc, etc... anyways they were very reasonably priced compared to my old bulbs and I thought sure why not before switching to 400 watts.

Well like he said I'm very happy, but suspect that crud on the old bulb was dulling things. Whatever it was I just wanted to prevent it from happening again.

Brandon

 

[cee]

Perfectly normal when the metal halides inside the arc chamber condense out on the "cooler" side of the bulb (the bottom). That is assuming what you show is on the inside of the bulb, which it appears to be. That's why you should rotate your bulbs every so often.

 

[bkv1997]

Guess thats the downside to DEs... No rotating those...

It does appear to be on the outside, the glass doesn't feel as smooth but there is no getting it off.

 

[ct_vol]

Yeah, I don't have that on my old DE's... I love my Phoenix 14k's, so I'm sure you'll like them as well... If anything its almost too much...

 

[hawkeye31657]

i just got two mh hqi pendents and cant seem to make my mind up on xm or Phoenix help please oh 250 watt

 

[bkv1997]

over the last 3 years I've had the below

Blueline 14k
AB 20k
Geisemann 14k MegaChrome
Pheonix 14k

Assuming my corals don't react negativly to the new bulbs I have to say the intensity, color and price the pheonix 14ks are probalby my favorite to date.

Honestly though its to early for me to say, since they are still burning in.

Brandon

 

[hawkeye31657]

bkv question where did you get your bulbs from and for how much

 

[hawkeye31657]

and if i am right is that the top of the bulb you are showing and is the other side the same

 

[ct_vol]

Larry,
I've run XM 15k's, AB 13K's, and the Phoenix 14k's and prefer the phoenix!!! lol There was recently a thread and most people preferred the Phoenix 14k's... But take a gander...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=858711

 

[bkv1997]

Hawk:

I bought them from Premium Aquatics

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=14K-250HQI-PH&Category_Code=mh-250w

It was only on the bottom part of the bulb or the part facing the water surface.

Brandon