Halide 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.

 

[joshalicialtjt]

hey man i just ordered the reeflux 250 12k bulbs that should be in on thurs. if you wanted u could stop over by my place to see what you think about the look of them after they have been hung and what not. i heard great things about 12k reeflux and not needing to really supplement the tank with vho or t5 as much although i am going to ponder normal output t5's

 

[dillagas]

im running two Reeflux 12k 400w and one 400 XM 20k and they are pretty close to the same color, I love the reeflux 12k

 

[JosefDevaty]

Cool thanks for the info on the Reeflux. What Im really trying to find out is if they are the same bulb.... on the same ballast.... why the color difference. Is the bulb age to blame or is it something else.

 

[gwrench]

Hey Josef,
Color variation could be caused by a few things, ballast as you already suggested, bulb age as well, improper burn in, gas content in the bulb, contamination. Most likley cause is the bulb but this can be verified by switching bulbs and viewing the color after proper warmup time.
Hope this helps
G

 

[JosefDevaty]

Yeah, Im just going to pick up some new bulbs tomorrow. I wanted to do this anyway and get some quality bulbs in place. I called around though and everyone seems to be out of the reflux 12k's.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Did you try Ocean Blue? I remember seeing them there not too long ago.

 

[JosefDevaty]

Yeah I was going to hit them up tomorrow. I tried calling... but it went to the answering machine.