Halide color question

[JosefDevaty]

I just installed my halides. They are awesome.... however.... I noticed that the bulbs appear to be different colors. First I have to say that it is a used system.
2x250 icecap ballast
Spider reflectors
2 JBJ (i know they are crummy... but they came with the setup) bulbs that are supposed to be 14k
One looks like a nice blue 14k.... the other looks more like a 10K
Both bulbs read JBJ 14k 250W
The bulbs are used.
My question is - does bulb age affect the color and if so would a yellower bulb mean its old or new?
I want to upgrade to some 14k phoenix or 12k reeflux (I hear they rule.... unless someone else has opinions.. which I am always open to).
Could it be the ballast. I know that can affect bulb color but if they are both 250W icecaps I wouldnt think this would not be the case.
Let me know what you more knowledgeable folks think.

 

[alanmorehead]

If you wanted to check if it was in the ballast you could just swap the bulbs, but I think it is likely the bulbs. I had 250w Reeflux bulbs on Icecap 250w ballasts and I liked them. I think either of those bulbs are good though and a new pair should fix your color issues.

- Alan

 

[JosefDevaty]

How blue were the reeflux 12ks were they closer to a 14k for blue? Im looking for a nice blue color but I dont think I want to go as far as 20k.

 

[alanmorehead]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1305034&perpage=25&pagenumber=1