Does this look like a new bulb to you??

[alki]

I ordered this from an online store, and the bulb looked like this. My other bulbs I have ordered looked new, this one obviously does not.

Has anyone ever gotten a new bulb that looks like this? The store is trying to say they are new. This is there email.

"After showing your photos to the owner and talking to our supplier, I have confirmed that the bulb in question is not used. The specs you see inside are the filament, which is normal and the other coloration is also normal. I have attached the contact info for the manufacturers. Feel free to confirm this with them. If they disagree, you can have them contact us directly."

 

[DonW]

Yes they look like they have been fired. This is normal. I wouldn't worry about it. You can tell if a vendor is trying to pull a fast one just by watching the burn in for a few days.

Don

 

[alki]

This is a new 20k, and I am not familiar at all about how the color is supposed to look. I have read it usually takes a couple days to get the color up right, correct?

Also the only bulbs i have used were odessey, and came with my lights and they looked new to me. At least not like this one.

 

[DonW]

20k will look very blue and will get more white as they burn in. Chances are pretty good that they are new.

Don

 

[returnofsid]

I recently had a similar issue. We purchased a 150W Sunpod. It came sealed in the box. When I opened it up, the bulb looked burned. I'm pretty sure that they burn test them before packaging.

 

[alki]

I wish this box was sealed at least I would know it came from the supplier like that. The crappy thing is I will never know. For all I know 3 months down the road the light will diminish.
Especially since they only last 8-10 months and they cost a ****load of money.

 

[DonW]

What vendor?

 

[alki]

Ill send you a pm. I dont want to bad mouth if not the case.

 

[alki]

I just talked to Blue Life USA and seeing the pics said that the ends look to be used for more than testing reasons, but cant verify without testing. They are sending me a new one.

And some good advice to share from DonW.

"As a rule of thumb I don't buy bulbs from any place that has tanks."


Great tip. I would bet money that they use these bulbs for their corals, and swap them out after a couple months with new ones and sell the old ones.

Even better considering I paid 15 bux for 3 day delivery!@

 

[trido]

Wow! Ive ran DE bulbs for upwards of a year and a hlaf and have never seen the electrical contacts look like that after use. I would refuse that bulb as well.

 

[alki]

Ohh yea props for Blue Life. They are taking responsibility and sendind me a new bulb,!

Uprops for ????????? who are scheming bastards in my opinion. Beware.

 

[DonW]

I wouldnt point any fingers just yet. I've seen brand new xm's that look similar. Its very hard to tell if a bulb is used or even bad just by looking. I'd just be happy with the new bulb for peace of mind.

Don

 

[alki]

Used or not they put me up to contacting the manufacturer to figure it out. If this happened at marinedepot or somewhere else I bet they would have replaced no questions and taken care of their customers.

These people argued with me about it.

OK took their name off as I hate to be a dik.

 

[trido]

I wouldnt point any fingers just yet. I've seen brand new xm's that look similar. Its very hard to tell if a bulb is used or even bad just by looking. I'd just be happy with the new bulb for peace of mind.

Don

I can agree with no public blaming 100% Don. Having a peace of mind that you ended up with (hopefully) what you paid for, has to benough in alot of cases.
Ive seen alot of bulbs that have the hazing inside of the burn chamber. My only concerns is the extremely bad arc marks on the ends.

BTW, Nice to see you back on the board DonW. Thought We'd lost you there....................

 

[Scooterman]

Well the lamp certainly was fire up, I would think some manufactures do that but other don't as the ones I've used weren't fired up ever. When XM's had issues with yellowing I bet it didn't take long for the manufacturer to test them first before sending out. To burn in like that a few hours shouldn't be a problem, the ends really don't look so bad either so that wouldn't be a concern, I'd think your good to go from what I've read & saw in your pics.
JMO 2 cents worth LOL

 

[92cg60]

As a rule of thumb I don't buy bulbs from any place that has tanks

^^Exactly.. I've personally witnessed employees at two different LFS digging through VHO stock confused and/or arguing over what was new or used

 

[alki]

Well I couldnt help myself and decided to compare with the bulbs I have now.

These have been used for 6 months every day.

New my ass!

I would watch out and not order from aloha-aquariums.com Not only did they tell ME to contact the manufacturer for THEM, but after looking at the pics the owner said they are new. Yeah frickin right.