Ushio Vs. Hamilton

[MaxxGlock]

I just bought 1 new 250 watt 10k ushio bulb. Are they supposed to be this blue? Ive always read that they were supposed to be white in color? My tank looks darker now. I was using the hamilton 250 watt 10k bulbs. And before anyone says that Ushio and Hamilton are the same bulbs, they are not! My hamilton bulbs say Hamilton made in Belgium and the Ushios say Ushio made in Germany, the hamilton bulb is also an inch longer. Ive ran the one bulb for one week for 8 hours a day. Does it take longer for this bulb to burn in? I was just wondering because side by side the 9 month old hamilton is easily twice as bright in intensity and so much whiter that it isnt funny. Did I get a bad bulb? I have the dual PFO ballast.
The lighting is on my 55 gallon tank which has 2 250watt fixtures and the bulbs are 6 inches from the surface. Does anyone know a site that sells Hamilton bulbs, ones that say Hamilton made in Belgium on them? Thanks!

 

[King Jason]

I love my Hamiltons. Just go directly to Hamilton: http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/

 

[MaxxGlock]

Thanks for the quick reply! Never thought to look at hamiltons website doh :roll:

Everyone always talks up the Ushio's, doesnt anyone else use Hamilton's? The difference from Ushio to Hamilton is like going from VHO (which I previously had) to Ushio at least in the 250 watt category. I must say I have been very pleased with Hamilton bulbs.

 

[0db]

What about the Hamiltons having two different 10k bulbs? They have the "10K" and the "10K German" bulbs. What's the difference and which ones are you guys using?

 

[King Jason]

I use the 10k German. I'm not sure what the difference is, but my BMW was made by Germans so they must be doing something right :wink: . From my understanding the 10k German has more of the blue spectrum in it. But don't quote me on that, it's been a while since I investigated bulbs.