How to tell if This MH bulb Is USED?

[Rob&Gab]

Any help will be appreciated. here is some pictures in witch i dont no how to ask questions on how to tell if it is used or not. or just fired up. is that white film a indicator to witch it has been used? or still fairly new.


this is a Phoenix HEXARC blue 14,000k metal Halide bulb 150W/DE

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Where did you get it?

 

[BaaMNYC]

Tagging along

 

[Rob&Gab]

it came with a tank we purchased a while back i have been trying to research on how to tell if it is used or not but this bulb does not come up. they claim they were un-used. but im not too sure.

 

[Rob&Gab]

is there any tell tell signs of this type of bulb used or dead? cause with some other bulbs i have been looking at there is different types of film color and they have been saying that they were new bulbs so i was wondering if this white film is a good sign or a bad sign and not to use it.

 

[prattreef]

It looks either new or gently used to me. As MH bulbs burn they turn increasingly black. The slight black around the inner envelop is normal.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

It looks either new or gently used to me. As MH bulbs burn they turn increasingly black. The slight black around the inner envelop is normal.

I agree. Looks like gently used or test fired scorching.

 

[Rob&Gab]

what kind of PAR readings should i be looking for? this bulb is going to be going to a 20x20x20 tank. what should the top readings bee? does anyone no. sorry im new to this MH stuff, all the knowledge i can get will be helpful and thanks in advance.

 

[jerl77]

Buy a new bulb

 

[cmantis]

That bulb has been burned dunno for how long. What happens over time is the spectrum shifts so par readings won't necessarily tell you that much.

 

[Rob&Gab]

oh okay. gotcha im gonna buy them then.

 

[strgazr27]

Bulb has definitely been used. How long is almost impossible to tell but that is more scorching than a test firing would show.

Par values are dependant on the type of reflector, ballast and height above the water line.

 

[masterswimmer]

A few things to note:

1 - That bulb is an old style. That doesn't tell you whether it is a heavily used bulb, just that it is old. The new style is pictured below.

2 - The white coating on the ends of the inner bulb are normal as seen in the brand new bulb pictured below.

3 - The burnt, blackening on your bulb makes it look quite used as opposed to lightly used....IMO.

4 - The 14000k rating on your bulb is quite worn. It almost looks like a 4000k bulb printing. Again, something that just makes it look very used.

HTH
Russ

 

[Rob&Gab]

Thanks man appropriate the help! i had no clue that this was a old style.

 

[Arati]

its an old bulb, most likely used.

the used part is hard to tell because of the test fire all bulbs are "used"