What do you do with your old MH bulbs?

[Domboski]

I have been going crazy reading reviews on 250 watt SE MH bulbs. One of the things I wish I could do is test what the different bulbs would look like on my system. Is there any value in using an old MH bulb that someone replaced to see how it would look?

If so, maybe we should create a member bank of old metal halide bulbs for testing purposes.

Just thinking out loud.... :scratchch

 

[jackson6745]

Old metal halide bulbs wouldn't fire at the same intensity or spectrum.

 

[noodleman]

how do you guys dispose of your old bulbs? since they have mercury in it, is there a procedure?

 

[pecan2phat]

Within the CTARS club, they established a collection of used MH bulbs for the purpose of emergency loan or just mainly for members to try out to see the look of the bulb on their tank prior to purchasing.

 

[Domboski]

Old metal halide bulbs wouldn't fire at the same intensity or spectrum.

Not even close enough? I knew they would be off a bit but was hoping they would still be useful. Even after reading comments and reviews I feel like its throwing darts in the dark unless you find someone using the same exact lighting system. I bought 150 watt Ushio DE 14Ks because they looked awesome on a few tanks that I saw in person. Even after they broke in on my system I wasn't real thrilled with the way they looked. The coral growth was outstanding though.

 

[Domboski]

Within the CTARS club, they established a collection of used MH bulbs for the purpose of emergency loan or just mainly for members to try out to see the look of the bulb on their tank prior to purchasing.

Has there been any complaints about the difference between the used bulbs and their expectations after purchasing a brand new one?

 

[Domboski]

how do you guys dispose of your old bulbs? since they have mercury in it, is there a procedure?

I've read that there is a procedure for disposing the compact fluorescent bulbs for a similar reason. I do not recall what it is though off the top of my head. I'll post a link if I can find it.


********DISPOSING OF MERCURY********

 

[jhale]

I save my old bulbs and give them to anyone wants to try them.
I agree with Rich, but the color should be close enough to get a good idea.

 

[jackson6745]

Oh yeah, and old bulb will give you an idea of what you can expect but for testing purposes the numbers would be quite a bit off from its potential. It very much depends how used the bulb is.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I eat them.

 

[Domboski]

If anyone has a XM 250 watt 20K or a Ushio 10K or 14K SE 250 watt let me know. I'd like to see what they would look like on my system.

I have the following if anyone's interested in trying any of them:

150 watt Ushio DE 14ks
150 watt Hamilton DE 14ks
250 watt Coralvue SE 10K

 

[reefman]

its hard to tell the diff if u try to remember...."hmm... does my lights need changing?"
but after u put on the new mh, wow! what a diff.
the color n intensity diff is like nite n day. i find old bulbs gradually gets more yellow n weaker.