Bulb bank

[Slickdonkey]

Ok so how's this for an idea: members can donate their used MH/VHO/whatever bulbs to the "bulbmaster" along with a note saying how long they were used. Then you can "check out" the bulbs from the bulbmaster to try them out. Used bulbs might be a little different than ones that have some life left in them, but probably give you a general idea of what the color will be like.

Recently I've been trying all kinds of different bulbs, and even buying the used ones gets expensive. And I still haven't found a color I like.

Is this a stupid idea or do I get the Nobel prize?

 

[bc_slc]

I think this is a great idea. Before I found my new phoenix bulbs, I tried several that i knew immediately were not going to be what I was hoping for.

Mat

 

[shallowreef]

Don't the bulbs look different though when they are old? Aren't they more faded? I like where this is going though.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Brian, very generous of you to offer to open up the IBB (Internet Bulb Bank.)
I would like to borrow a couple XM 10K bulbs for 6-7 months, can't rush these decisions. Have a few VHO bulbs in mixed colors, used less than 16 months:lol:

 

[Slickdonkey]

Don't the bulbs look different though when they are old? Aren't they more faded? I like where this is going though.

Yeah they can shift a bit. But like I said above it's probably at least an approximation of the color you'd get with a new bulb.

Brian, very generous of you to offer to open up the IBB (Internet Bulb Bank.)
I would like to borrow a couple XM 10K bulbs for 6-7 months, can't rush these decisions. Have a few VHO bulbs in mixed colors, used less than 16 months:lol:

Sure, I'll be done with them in about 9 months. You can borrow them as long as you like after that.

 

[class clown]

I'd like to get this idea going again for current PSAS members. Slick, are you the our "bulbmaster"? if not, I can offer up my services to run with the bulb bank idea for this PSAS season.

1) I'll offer up 2 250w XM 10ks to get the bank going.

2) Anyone out there have any old 250w bulbs that are in the 12-15k spectrum? I'd love to grab 'em from you to test 'em out if at the next event or even before then. I'm going to need to replace my current bulbs in December-January timeframe and am looking to switch to something a little bit more blue, so if you have any old one's just laying around, I'd appreciate it greatly if you could offer them up.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Ben you are aware that heavily used bulbs are a sunstantially different color from their new state...

 

[class clown]

Thanks Mike -- didn't know that. I figured they changed a little over burn in time, but didn't realize it was substantial -bummer -- is it really that bad? Is there like a critical point where they just go down hill (i.e 6 mos). If yeah, maybe we could maybe try to only include bulbs that have been used up to that critical point.

do they typically grow whiter, yellower, or bluer over time? is it the same coloring, just a different intensity?

Basically, want to know how far off would it be?

 

[hooked82]

I've got a 250w Radium SE 14K bulb that I will be replacing here in a bit, as well as some 60" vho's. As soon as my hood is done I will know what I'm putting in there and what I'm not.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Here are some good threads
I do not think that there is any set rule that covers all the bulbs since some age faster than others, such as Radiums. They lose the phosphors which add color so one can assume the blues go with age if that is what you are after.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12345&highlight=bulb+color+comparison

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2004/reviewb.htm
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4830&highlight=bulb+color+comparison

http://chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/