Reeflux 10k, one bulb bluer than the other

Its been over a week now but probably havent reached the 100 hour mark but it seems that one of my 10k bulbs burns bluer than the other. They are on the same kind of ballast. Any thoughts

 

I work in the domestic lighting market and know from that area that there is a tolerance on Colour temp of light emitted on any number of lamps - from T5 to LEDS
the tolerances are set and for the 3K range in CFLS for example when lit and tested, they can vary from 2700k - 3400K - but they are sorted into the 3K bracket and labelled as such - its an average rather than a fixed figure

LEDS are similar - with lamps from 5500 - to 6400 K all being marketed at 6000K cool white lamps

So in my opinion its perfectly normal to have visible colour variations even with lamps sold under the same specification. and this is further complicated when you have lamps from different manufacturers - I have 2 x 14 K by Aquamedic and 2 x 14K from Geisseman and the geiseman ones are really noticably bluer than the aquamedic ones

Steve

 

Also, with MH it is very important that the bulbs be orientated as close to the same as possible. IE: nipple up, down or anywhere in between

 

Rotate the bulb so the nipple is in different positions and you will find the color of the light changes. I found them best between the 1 and 3 oclock position myself.

 

Hmmm, interesting, thanks for all info and tips

 

very intresting point.I will have to check this out tom..

 

K....I'm a bit confused as to what the nipple is and the 1 and 3 position or wtvr, its a mogul screw in bulb??

 

Inside the bulb is a smaller glass bulb with some mercury or other metals inside it and with the wires protruding from it. That smaller bulb has a nipple sticking out of the side of it. Either screw your bulb in further, or out some so that small nipple is somewhere bewteen the noon and 3 oclock positions like on a wall clock. Do this when the bulbs are cold and wipe any fingerprints off the glass, I use a soft cotton cloth myself. You may have to UNPLUG your ballasts, remove the bulbs from the sockets then reach into them and pry the little tab out slightly with a screwdriver if its not making good contact with the screw end of the bulb.

Different bulbs give off better colors at different nipple positions, I still don't understand why but its well known this works. No two bulbs will be completely alike so one may be at 1 oclock and one at 3 oclock.

Here is a little blurb off the Coralvue site, note they call it a vent hole:
http://www.coralvue.com/bulbs.html

 

K....so I adjusted the bulbs, I couldnt get them both at 12 so one of em is I guess at six but it work out well and the tank is evenly lit and there is more blue now too :thumb_up:, thanks for the suggestions yall