MH Bulb 'bad'?

[KurtsReef]

I picked up a few new bulbs a few weeks ago and expect them to look a bit yellow or off at first, but its been two or three weeks now and one of the three bulbs is still yellowish in light color.

Anyone ever get a bad bulb like that? Its a 250w 12k reflux bulb which is normally pretty blue to white and not in the least yellow in color.

I am relatively new to MH lighting, but in my 3 or 4 bulb cycled so far had not had any issues such as this.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

This brand is known to have poor uniformity of product.
I await the replies from Reeflux fans

 

[gregod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13909960#post13909960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
This brand is known to have poor uniformity of product.
I await the replies from Reeflux fans

I have had 2 set up since July and I love them. Even though I've had absolutely no previous experience with MH bulbs, I think they are great! :lol:

 

[SVXH6]

I remember a problem like this happeneing about a year ago with Reeflux bulbs. many users experienced this same thing. personally i have had two different Reeflux bulbs and neither did this.

 

[KurtsReef]

I have had about 12 of the reflux total in both 400 and 250w this is the first issue I have had.

Not sure what my recourse would be here...contact the shop and let them deal with the manufacturer...


"Hey, I have this used bulb that is not burning the right color"

Seems like a pretty funny start to a conversation too me.

 

[talon4x4]

I have 2 175W 14k Reflux bulbs and one is noticeably bluer than the other. No yellow but they definitely don't burn the same color.

I actually thought it was my eyes until a friend mentioned he thought they looked different.

 

[Steven1015]

I have 2 of the 250s running on my tank and one side is definatly yellow on my tank very noticable just but looking at my tank.

 

[Rwojick]

I would contact the manufacturer directly preferably through the phone but if that is unavailable then an e-mail should be fine. My feelings on the matter are that the local shop did nothing wrong. Unless of course you think that they would be willing to swap bulbs. The shop may be unwilling to do this because of the difficulty in determining the age of the bulb. If the manufacturer is aware of the problem and they are reputable then they should have no problem resolving the issue. If they don't meet your expectations simply stop using their product and make them aware of your intentions.
Rob

 

[KurtsReef]

I sent Coralvue an email via their website explaining the situation, they stated first to mail it too them and they would replace it...

Then it asked "Did you make sure the arc tube position was at 12pm?"

These are mogul based, is that question geared to DE bulbs? I have never run DE and know nothing about them, but would assume with the single ended bulbs it does not matter what direction the filament is...but will be taking a look at this when I get home.

 

[SkiFletch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13912786#post13912786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by talon4x4
I have 2 175W 14k Reflux bulbs and one is noticeably bluer than the other. No yellow but they definitely don't burn the same color.

I actually thought it was my eyes until a friend mentioned he thought they looked different.

I have this issue too, but then again I do have two different ballasts lighting them so I could never rule that out...

 

[KurtsReef]

They sent me a GIF file showing 'proper position' of the mogul bulb in the base...It will be nice if its simply user error, but I assumed it was like any incadecent bulb and you just screw it in.

 

[gregod]

I didn't know that they had to be in a specific position. Can you post the GIF?

 

[RandyO]

One of our Reeflux 12K's on the 265 runs a tad yellower than the other one. I always assumed there was some degree of color difference to MH bulbs.

Kurt,
Let me know if you have any issues with Coralvue.

 

[tmz]

I never heard of the 12 o 'clock positioning either. What exactly does it mean?

 

[KurtsReef]

I thought I had forwarded the email home so I could host the image and put it here...but did not.

Coralvue had agreed to replace it if I shipped it too them, Randy swapped it out for me today.

If you look at the socket end of the bulb you will see a vent on one portion of the end. The vent is a small rectangular area, and on my bulb it was not at the 12 o'clock position when in the socket.

I put the new bulb in after lights out, will see how it looks tomorrow...and hope I did not delete the email at work then I will post the image.

 

[Piazzon12]

http://www.coralvue.com/reeflux.html
Does anyone know if this applies to all SE MH lamps?? Is there a "correct" way to orient XM 10K's? not sure I can tell what this vent hole is on my lamps