Halide bulb with a crack

[kevindub]

I have been running an ushio 250 watt single end halide bulb. Recently while I was cleaning it, I noticed there is a small hairline crack in the glass close to the top tip. How dangerous do you think it is to keep using it? It seems to work and it is only 3 months old.

 

[Unarce]

I've heard that it's pretty bad to run a cracked bulb. Can't quite remember exactly why, though. Perhaps, because of gas and UV leaks, or just the likelihood that it'll pop.

 

[Anonymous]

Pop (due to compromise in strutrual integrity) and UV. Be careful.

 

[kevindub]

I have decided to discard it and get myself a new bulb. There is no warranty on the bulb now, so there goes $100

 

[Anonymous]

That happened with a bulb when a fish spashed while I was feeding, crack along the entire bulb, apparently not completely through, continued using the bulb. But I think after all the expnasion and contractions due to the heat it finally stopped working (bulb protection of some sort?)

If it's not absolutely brand new I wouldn't use it after you get a new bulb.