Nipple up, nipple down. Comparison pics enclosed.

[Nathan1]

Here are two Ushio 10K 400W bulbs. On the LEFT is the nipple up position and on the RIGHT is the nipple down position.

Hopefully this will dispell any myths that it doesn't matter which way these bulbs burn.

-Nathan

 

[clutchcargo]

Did you try switching them to make sure that it's not the bulbs?

 

[monkeyboy]

The myths have just been dispelled. Didn't know there was that much of a difference, geeze. It's like a 10k and an iwasaki!

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

The instructions on my bulbs made it *explicitly* clear that the (inner) nipple should be up.

 

[ReefQuest]

could you post a pic of the bulb and point out the nipple for me? I want to make sure I am looking at what I think is the correct part of the bulb. It is not overly obvious to me.

thanks,
Chris

 

[ReefQuest]

Nevermind....duh!

thanks,
Chris

 

[Nathan1]

clutchcargo,

Both bulbs were bought one year ago and have been burning for one year with the nipple up and both have the exact same colour when the nipples are pointed up.

Yesterday I switched the orientation of the bulb on the RIGHT so that the nipple is pointed down. It took one day for the change to register, but I think it's pretty obvious that it's not burning correctly.

Thanks for the question.

-Nathan

 

[Mouse]

Damn, and i thought i was going to see your nipples Nathan. Im very dissapointed

 

[mgamelin]

Can someone explain to me what the nipple really is! Is it the inner envalope of the bulb?

 

[clutchcargo]

That's pretty bizarre. Who would have that that it would make that much of a difference. It looks like it dropped down to 4000K (purely a guess). Thanks for doing the test.

 

[Nathan1]

Mouse,

You pervert!

Mgamelin,

The "nipple" is the little glass nubby thing that is on the inside glass envelope. It appears that it's formed when they manufactured the envelope, but I think it actually does have functionality, or I suppose that it might. In any case, aim the nipple up, towards the cieling.

-Nathan

 

[JT]

Nathan:

In addition to the bulb not burning correctly, often times the bulb will not fire at all with the nipple pointing down.

- JT

 

[BROKER]

I turned the bulb so that what I believe is the nipple is facing the ceiling. I turned the light on and it fired differently than before. It was not as smooth. I did not notice a difference but I will give it a couple of days like Nathan said. I have a 400w Iwaski pendant. Should I be turning the base or the bulb?

Sorry to bring it to the top but I would like to get the most out of the bulb?

 

[Jase]

I always had mine with the nipple pointing sideways...seemed to me that with the nipple up or down , the wire would get in the way of the light spread??

 

[TazzBear]

Nipples nipples, where are them nipples? Gotta love it. Grin I don't have any nipples on my HQI bulbs but I ALWAYS have them up on my mogule systems. Nathan, I want to know how to put pics in your post here. Probably pretty easy, but I have never done it and want to put a few pics up. Thanks

 

[Roach]

Is this true with all MH's are just the Ushio's?

 

[ReefQuest]

FWIW, I have 400 watt 10KK Ushio MH and performed the same experiment. I can't believe the difference! I will try to post pictures tomorrow. It is so obvious. Anyway, I have been very dissapointed in the Ushio bulbs b/c they are so yellow! Now, I have corrected the one side and finally have the coloration I have been looking for!!!

Thanks for your help, Nathan! I was afraid that I had made a mistake with my Ushio purchase. Now, I'm happy!

Chris

 

[ReefQuest]

OK, FWIW, here are pix of my tank. The nipple is up on the left and down on the right.

 

[MATTT]

Wow, that is a big different. I have a 400w 10k and it has been burning for about six months now. Can't recall that I have the nipple down or up during that time. I turn the nipple to the up position, didn't see any change in color. For two days, no changed. Like Jase said, wouldn't the wire be in a way if you have the nipple in the up position ?

Thanks for the info.

Mattt.

 

[delphinus]

Mattt and Jase: Yes.

But it's not like the wire casts a shadow so vast that anything unlucky enough to be caught in that shadow is starved of light....