Kip,,,,xm10k 175w assist

[saltcreep]

Kip,
I noticed you were out in reef tanks figured I would see if I could get your opinion on this.
I need some help with dual 175w xm MH bulbs. I have a question regarding one of the bulbs. I have them running for 8 hrs a day now for around 3 mths and one burned in nice and crisp. The other has kept a yellowish tint and I noticed that the silver " reflector" near the base of the bulb has burned off the bulb and the inside of the bulb is burned and white. I hope this is a good description of the problem. My concern is that the bulb is going to blow or burn up. Is this something I should be concerned with? Has anyone seen this?
Thanks in advance

 

[nas19320]

I'm not Kip but I can try and help as I have run 175w Xm's in the past. Make sure that the

[hr]
on the arc tube is pointed up between 9 and 3 o'clock. Sometimes this will cause the bulb to burn yellow if it is not in this position.

 

[saltcreep]

Thanks for the response. Is that the

[hr]
in the center or the weld on the outside? Do you think the bulb is defective based on my discription or does this happen to some of them, where the silver burns off?
Tanks again nas

 

[nas19320]

The small little glass bubble on the outside of the arc tube inside is the

[hr]
. The silver on both my XM's turned black, its normal for it to fade a little and turn black. The rest of the bulb should remain clear though and as long as the arc tube is intact and nothing is broken or cracked then you should be ok.

 

[saltcreep]

Got it, I will try this tonight. One last thing, the silver stuff burned off, not turned black on that bulb. The bulb that looks right burned in black. Is that normal

 

[nas19320]

Hmmm....that never happened to my bulbs so I can't say if it is or isn't. I wouldn't think it would be a problem as long as everything else looks good but I'm just not sure. Maybe try contacting the company or the supplier and see what they have to say, its possible you just have a defective bulb.

 

[saltcreep]

I did. I am waiting for a reply. I fig I would ask you guys out here while I wait. I know people out here are using them so someone may have seen this. It just does not look right.
Thanks again for the sugestion and I will turn the bulb tonight and see if it clears up!!!!

 

[mep]

not every bulb burns the same i've run 2 10k in the past and had the same problem one crisp white the other a little yellow
same manufacture but not evey bulb burns identical

 

[saltcreep]

I fig as much but I am topless on the tank so a bit nervous about a broken bulb.

 

[spsaddict]

ive used the xm 20k's in the past, i never had this problem... id personally get a newone asap!!!!