when PC bulbs go bad..

[danrw84]

anyone know?
i bought a 50/50 bulb from *****, coralife. with a giftcard.
recently openend it and it was a differnt bulb, someone had bought it, and i think returned it with their other bulb. its a "hamilton super sunlite 55w pc" it is just florecent. I put it on the tank, makes it look better, but how do i know if the bulb is any good, used and needs replacement?

 

[entice59]

IMO, it could have been an really old bulb and it might have been atleast 12 months(when you should replace it), go back and return it

 

[danrw84]

how can i find out?

 

[yetex]

i would definately return it to get the bulb you want. For all you know that bulb is 3 years old

 

[entice59]

theres no real way to tell, but i heard something runs out when the bulbs get old and this can promote insane algae growith, return them and get the same brand

 

[scarybo]

You can tell slightly if you hold it next to a new bulb, but it is not worth the risk. Once they get old the spectrum shifts and you can have ugly hair algae growth. I wouldnt take the chance. Hair algae is a monster once it starts.