PC Users! How long do your bulbs last?

[h2o]

My custom sea life blue actinic suddenly stop working only after 6 months <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> I thought it was my ballast but put an old bulb in it and worked fine. Anyone ever have this problem which the bulb just flicker and died?
I called Lisa at custom sealife and was told "warranty only 3 months." and suggest buying another one from Champion. <img src="graemlins//freak.gif" border="0" alt="[freak]" />

 

[underthesea]

I have never had that problem. I change my PC every twelve months and they are still running, I have never had one go out on me. Maybe you just got a bad batch or something. I hope you do not have this problem in the future.

 

[lordofthereef]

I also change my pc's every 12 months even though they are still working. I just do it to make sure the spectrum of the bulb is correct. sorry to hear about your problems with your bulbs.

 

[nm reef]

I run 4x65 watt CSL pc's.....change them at the 12 month mark.....2 at a time...never had a problem with them burning out....just replaced 2 of them and they were burning just fine.......sort of wish I had another 4' fixture then I'd recycle the old bulbs to the refugium.......get more use out of them....but seriously...I've never had a problem with CSL bulbs burning out

 

[h2o]

yes, very strange. I put the same actinic bulb into the other insert, and still wouldn't lit. Can a bad timer possibly damage the light bulb. currently I put my old smartlite bulb back, and is still hesitant to buy from CSL again or not. Very discouraging for only having it 6 months <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[broomer5]

Sounds to me like a bad bulb for sure.
A timer should not matter. All my pc's are on timers and well ... that ain't it.
Providing you never dropped the bulb, or knowingly damaged it in any way, I'd get back on the horn to Lisa's boss at CustomSealife, explain your situation and ask for either a refund or a replacement bulb.
If they refuse to stand behind it cause out of warranty, well that's pretty bad - but you'll have a chance to speak your mind and that's worth something.