new Radium 20.000K bulb, defective? or needs long burn in period?

[jph]

so i received the 150W HQI Radium 20.000K bulb today.

it's been burning for almost an hour now, but it just looks wrong. it's got this yellow/green tint to it. not what i was expecting at all.

it looks so weird that even my wife asked mt "waht's wrong with your tank water, it looks so green"

i have it in a Current Sunpod fixture if that makes any difference.

could i have received;

- a defective bulb?
- a used bulb that is past her lifespan

or does this bulb needs a long burn in time?


J.

[jph]

it looks like this

http://traumatized.org/reeftank/nano/img/i_img_8460.jpg


J.

[bimmerzs]

i have it in a Current Sunpod fixture if that makes any difference.


Hi,

My guess would be that the ballast in that fixture may not be able to drive that bulb effectively. Do you know what type of ballast it has??

Cheers,

[Stoney G]

Is it an electronic ballast? The Radium DE lamps have compadability (I think that's how you spell it :)) issues on some electronic ballasts. I would let it burn in for a few days to see if it gets better.

[FranktheTankTx]

This is a ballast/bulb compatibility problem, definitely!

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683374#post13683374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stoney G
Is it an electronic ballast? The Radium DE lamps have compadability (I think that's how you spell it :)) issues on some electronic ballasts. I would let it burn in for a few days to see if it gets better.

specs say "electronic driving system"


so... does anyone else have a Current-USA SunPod with a Radium bulb?

does it look like this also?


J.

[jph]

still wishful thinking here, hoping that i got a defective bulb.

this is what it looks like as pictured on the website of a certain vendor

http://www.f3images.com/IMD/600/MB2812/MB2812_1.jpg


and this is how i received it
notice the lack of "colored stuff" inside the little glass bulb

http://traumatized.org/reeftank/nano/img/i_img_8461.jpg


J.

[FranktheTankTx]

I believe the first one has been fired previously.

I promise, this is a ballast/bulb compatibility issue. I have seen this problem before. Funny though, the green looks kind of cool. I know it's a PITA.

By the way - I had never seen a DE Radium before. Are these new?

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684099#post13684099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FranktheTankTx
I promise, this is a ballast/bulb compatibility issue. I have seen this problem before. Funny though, the green looks kind of cool. I know it's a PITA.

crap! not what i wanted to hear :(

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684099#post13684099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FranktheTankTx
By the way - I had never seen a DE Radium before. Are these new? [/B]

not sure if they are new or not. this was the first radium bulb that i got.

i'm on my 5th bulb now (in less than one year), and still have not found one that i like (in this fixture). i can't use any supplemental lighting, the MH bulbs is the one and only bulb above my tank. this is getting a VERY expensive experiment :(

does anyone know of a bulb that *somewhat* looks like a phoenix 14.000K, but is brighter? the color is OK, but it's just too dim IMHO.


J.

[jph]

OR

would i have better luck if i just replace the stock ballast with something like an icecap 150W ballast?


J.

[jph]

morning bump to see if anyone here has used a Radium bulb in a Current SunPod fixture.


J.

[PaulErik]

What is printed on the bulb and/or package? Radium makes the 150-watt bulbs in a 10,000K and 20,000K. The 10,000K is not common because it appears greenish. You may have received the wrong bulb.

The model for the 10,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/AQ/RX7S

The model for the 20,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/B/RX7S

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13686955#post13686955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaulErik
What is printed on the bulb and/or package? Radium makes the 150-watt bulbs in a 10,000K and 20,000K. The 10,000K is not common because it appears greenish. You may have received the wrong bulb.

The model for the 10,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/AQ/RX7S

The model for the 20,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/B/RX7S

i need to verify that when i get home tonight.

either way, hellolights is sending me a new bulb :)

i do recall that the bulb had printed "blau" on it, which is german for blue... so i'm going to guess that it is a 20.000K bulb.

i'll take a closeup picture of the label tonight.


J.

[jph]

double post. sorry

[The0wn4g3]

I think that could be the weirdest, ugliest looking bulb I've ever seen.

I'm so, so sorry....

PS: It took me about 3 bulbs to finally find one I liked.

[PSam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13686782#post13686782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jph
morning bump to see if anyone here has used a Radium bulb in a Current SunPod fixture.


J.

yes, and it looks nothing like that green pic you posted. Something is wrong somewhere. That looks like it didn't fire all the way. Have you tried to remove then re-seat the bulb?

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13687310#post13687310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The0wn4g3
I think that could be the weirdest, ugliest looking bulb I've ever seen.

I'm so, so sorry....

PS: It took me about 3 bulbs to finally find one I liked.

no kidding :)

if you don't mind me asking, which buld did you settle for? and are you supplementing it with blue/actinics or just as a standalone bulb?


J.

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13687874#post13687874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
yes, and it looks nothing like that green pic you posted. Something is wrong somewhere. That looks like it didn't fire all the way. Have you tried to remove then re-seat the bulb?

not yet, i removed it, and replaced it with a phoenix bulb :)

i'll give it another try tonight. and i hope the replacement bulb that they are sending me will work better.


J.

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13686955#post13686955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaulErik
What is printed on the bulb and/or package? Radium makes the 150-watt bulbs in a 10,000K and 20,000K. The 10,000K is not common because it appears greenish. You may have received the wrong bulb.

The model for the 10,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/AQ/RX7S

The model for the 20,000K is: HRI-TS 150W/230/B/RX7S

the bulb itself is marked : "Radium made in germany / HRI-TS 150W blau o0"
the packaging is marked : "HRI-TS 150 W blau/blue/bleu RX7s-24 made in Germany"

EAN13 barcode : 4008597121685


J.

[Stoney G]

The 150W/230/B/RX7S is the 20K.
I like the Ushio 20K it has a nice crisp blue that can be used as a stand alone light.

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13690536#post13690536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stoney G
The 150W/230/B/RX7S is the 20K.
I like the Ushio 20K it has a nice crisp blue that can be used as a stand alone light.

well, depending on if the new radium bulb will work or not (and if i like it or not)
i still have both ushio and hamilton bulbs on my "to try" list. both in 10KK and 20KK


J.

[Paulairduck]

That bulb is deffinitely used all my radium bulbs have the coloration when new and go to clear when they have been used both my 250's SE and my 150 DE, I have used 1/2 a dozen of both

[jph]

well, depending on if the new radium bulb will work or not (and if i like it or not)
i still have both ushio and hamilton bulbs on my "to try" list. both in 10KK and 20KK


J.

[john rochon]

honestly, theres very few MH lamps alone that look greaty for both corals AND fish.
most go from 10k to 14k and suppliment OR,
mix radiums with 10k to 14k lamps OR,
use radiums and add a few T5/VHO daylight lamps

[jph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13691629#post13691629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by john rochon
honestly, theres very few MH lamps alone that look greaty for both corals AND fish.
most go from 10k to 14k and suppliment OR,
mix radiums with 10k to 14k lamps OR,
use radiums and add a few T5/VHO daylight lamps

i can not add any additional lights. the tank is too small for that. i can only use one single MH bulb.


J.

[bimmerzs]

Phoenix 14K DE bulbs look very close if not the same as hamilton 14K SE bulbs and the PAR is excellent depending on the ballast used.

Cheers,

[jph]

my replacement bulb arrived today, this one burns blue, as expected. it's not the ballast, it was a defective bulb.


J.