Opinions of the Blueline Halide Bulbs???

[HARRISON]

I bought (2) 250 watt halides for my 80 gallon reef. In one of my posts someone raised concerns about blueline bulbs before I even told him what I had so now I am a little concerned. Has anyone had experience with 10k Blueline bulbs, if so what happened and what supplimental lighting if any did you use? (actinics)

I want to find out before I use them in case I need to trade them on something different.
Thanks for the response in advance...

 

[clownphisher]

I have 2-250w and 1-400w blueline lamps and i'm very happy with their color. they are blue enough that i don't use actinics

 

[Anonymous]

I've used them- yes they are very blue. But one of mine (a 250W, I think) managed to get a dark scorch-mark that covered the bottom of the gas pocket, which probably hindered the light output.

 

[dmm32]

HARRISON

Hi, I was the one who stated having trouble from these bulbs,Im just offering my experience with these bulbs. I would consider changing them,I also used the Blueline ballast with them,which I still use
and like very well,I am running Ushio's on them. Just my Experience. Champion will push the bulb on you, I have had 4 Bad ones, Champion is Ok,Just not Blueline bulbs.

Good luck
David

Old reply

HARRISON

Which 10000k bulb did you get. If it is the blueline's I will give you two of them, those buld are not good at all they get real dark in the middle and I have talked with many who have gotten them and were not happy at all. Just wanted to head of a problem before it happened.
This is the word from another who bought them.

Yes, they did develop some sort of spot in the center of the bulb. I had so much bad luck with those bulbs that I had give them up. I went to 400 watts instead. Now I’m running radium 20000k bulbs. Also the blueline bulbs kept failing on me. Very unreliable IMO.


Later,
Keith

250 ushio or hamilton will be great. champion is good, just not the blueline bulb
IMO.

David

 

[Stashu-Dave]

They Blow. I gave them a couple of chances, but the quality is just not there. I had 2 differt Bluelines 400 watt bulbs shift color on me ( one got really blue the other shifted really white). The other downfall is that they "Blacken Up" alot quicker than other bulbs which means you need to change the lamp more often. Believe it or not I did like the color at first, needed no actinic supplement. I think you'll be way better off in the long run using some form of actinic for dawn and dusk and using a whiter Halide( Iwaski, 10K German, or 20K German HQI)

 

[HARRISON]

Good info here guys...Hey DMM32, I hope you don't think I was "diming" you out. I haven't used the lights yet but am going to soon so I thought it was worth asking. In fact they screwed up the order and I am still waiting for one. If I had known a little earlier I would have traded them out. I am probably going to see how they work and if they suck I will see how Champion performs. it is always interesting to hear from people that loved and hated the same products...

I do appreciate the input. These boards save the newer guys lots of problems. I can think of several happenings that I could handle cause i had alread read the answer earlier.

Thanks again.
Harrison

 

[kmagyar]

I had 250 watt blueline ballasts and bulbs. The ballasts are ok. However the Blueline bulbs made me switch over to a totally different setup. I origianlly bought 2 bulbs. They lasted 2 weeks. Not only did they stop lighting but they also started to blacken up which meant less light was getting through. After the first two, I received replacements (brand new). One of them died. That was it for me. I went with 2 x 400 watts with 20000k radiums. Its too bad that I had to switch. I kinda liked the color of the Blueline bulbs. And who really knows how well corals will grow under the Bluelines also.

 

[dmm32]

HARRISON

I would exchange before run them It will make the exchange go a little easier.


David