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Ripside
09/15/2006, 03:42 PM
I added a couple new 175W 10K MH mogul-base bulbs today.

The color is very yellowish, with a faint green.

Is this something that fades with break-in? The 2-year old 10K's that came with the unit were a nice slight blue color. I might post a pic later, but this is aesthetically not very pleasing ;)

The ballast is a PFO Lighting AQ2-175MH-120V (for American singled-ended lamps).
Matt Rise
09/15/2006, 03:47 PM
What brand are they?
Ripside
09/15/2006, 03:51 PM
ReefOptic. The seller said they would be "crisp white".
reeferman06
09/15/2006, 05:27 PM
I went through the samething when I bought a new 10k bulb, and it was very yellow, I burned it for about 2 weeks and the color still did not change, I ended up going with a 14k bulb and that bulb was perfect, a nice crisp whilte/blue!!!
Cosmo^Kramer
09/15/2006, 05:30 PM
Unscrew them and try and get the dimple thats on the bulb to point up.I did this with my XM's and they are a nice crisp white with the dimples up.
synthesis
09/15/2006, 05:30 PM
I ran my 10k MH bulbs for 9 months and they remained yellow. I cut it with 2 96W actinics.

I switched to 14K bulbs and love them. I would recommend 14K bulbs.
Ripside
09/15/2006, 05:31 PM
Here's a photo. This is WITH 2x65W actinic 03 PC bulbs:

http://usera.imagecave.com/scott/fish2/dsc01129.jpg

The seller (from eBay) said the were a 100hr break-in, and he had one other person say they were yellowish, and asked me to give it some time.
reeferman06
09/15/2006, 05:45 PM
I got this bulb from a seller in hong kong, the yellow never went away!
theatrus
09/15/2006, 05:47 PM
Ew.

If you're going to do 10k, EVC 10k or XM 10k is the way to go.
Ripside
09/15/2006, 05:51 PM
The seller, "whulljr", who I have to give credit to, has offered to send me 14K's if the yellow doesn't go away. He's being very understanding and helpful.
Matt Rise
09/15/2006, 06:00 PM
Wow, that is green. Yikes!
reeferman06
09/15/2006, 06:19 PM
This bulb came from a seller in hong kong, the yellow never went away, I burned it for 2 weeks!

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/114190PIC00006.JPG
flyhigh123
09/15/2006, 06:25 PM
try illuminate bulbs....colors been good to me
Ripside
09/30/2006, 03:18 PM
I got one of those PlusRite bulbs too, 10K - horribly yellow. Glad I only bought one to try it out.

Update, I got the 2 14K replacements. They're not terribly bright, but about the right color for 14K's. A little on the white side, but still blue-ish.
TrojanScott
09/30/2006, 03:23 PM
I've heard the "nipple theory" as well. I tried it with my XM 10k's, and it still didn't seem to work. I've since switched to Hamilton 14k's, and I do like the coloration a lot better. I know I lose some par, but oh well, I still expect to see some growth! (after all, I'm not selling coral for a living)