Help MH light bulb issue?!

well i just received my new(I think) aqua medic ocean pendant light from marinedepo.com. The reason I say "I think" is because a couple of the boxes looked like they been used before, it didn't come w/ an instruction manual(which I think it supposed to) and one of the hanging sockets looks slightly different then the other. The equipment itself looks bran new, or perhaps returned....


But that's another story... to get to my question:

My question is about the specific light that came with this product. It's the 250w 20k AB double ended bulb. There seemed to be a cloudiness and almost rust/burnt color to the middle of the bulb when i turned it on the first time. Is this normal for hqi lights? Or should it always be clear? This is my first experience w/ MH.

here are pics:




also 2 little pieces of white ceramic came off the light on both ends. will this be a problem?

 

Hey! I've got Ocean Light 150 + (150W MH 13000K) and I can only say your bulb looks very strange! Does it work at all?! Moreover, mounting sockets should have equal length! It looks like somebody is trying to rip you off!

 

i just recived my mh three weeks ago and the rust look in the middle was in them as well do not know if it is normal but was in all mh bulbs at store that i looked at sengle ended 175 watt.

 

No experience with MH for aquariums, but in any other halide lamp (small as they are...), I have ever seen anything quite like that. Everything was clear.

You got it from MarineDepot.......call them up dude......

 

thanks for the replies. i contacted marinedepot and they are handling some of my concern issues.

 

The cloudiness is generally due to "in house testing" to make sure the bulbs work, testing from the manufacturer that is. If you get one that is 100% clear, it won't be after you fire it up for the first time. They should be run for 10-20 hours to be considered "broken in." The ceramic pieces that broke off the ends are a problem, they protect the contacts of the bulb ends. To me, it looks like a returned item. If the HQI bulb was installed when you received it, then it is definitely used. A new fixture will have the bulb in a separate package to ensure safety from damage. For the money spent, I would demand a brand new item, unopened.

 

I have had good luck with Marine Depot I buy everthing from them nowand I have had no problem with returns. I would return it and get your money back if you are that concerned MH bulbs do tend to look that way sometimes even when new but the cracking and other stuff makes me wonder.

 

Bingo, this man nailed it. The rust color inside the bulb is very normal. In fact, if it wasnt there, that would mean that you got a used bulb. I would definitely call them, it has been my exp.(with MD) that they are very good keeping they're customers happy. They have great customer service. Luna

 

i would return that puppy asap, you should also get some other free stuff out of them because you had to wait and pay shipping twice, and if that free stuff happens to be a 3/4" through hull send it this way cause i need one, hahaha