HQI bulb toast? Please advise...

Testhead1313 · 09/19/2006, 05:26 AM

I purchased this bulb from another reefer and just received it yesterday. Its a 70W Ushio 10K with ~6 months of burn time. I was inspecting it when I noticed something amiss. If you look below, the small metal plate inside the bulb has deteriorated and the bits are moving around freely inside the glass sleeve. I have no idea what this plate does or what it may do to affect bulb life, color, etc., but I was hoping someone may have an idea. I haven't attempted to fire it yet and am hesitant to do so in case I can return it. Has anyone seen this before or know what this component does? Thanks!

Aquaduck · 09/19/2006, 07:49 AM

I have many bulbs that look like that and they still fire up and work fine. Your bulb has nice clean electrodes without any blackening so I would say there is still lot's of life left in it. I have no idea what the little metal tab inside does.

09/19/2006, 05:26 AM	#1
Testhead1313 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 130	HQI bulb toast? Please advise... I purchased this bulb from another reefer and just received it yesterday. Its a 70W Ushio 10K with ~6 months of burn time. I was inspecting it when I noticed something amiss. If you look below, the small metal plate inside the bulb has deteriorated and the bits are moving around freely inside the glass sleeve. I have no idea what this plate does or what it may do to affect bulb life, color, etc., but I was hoping someone may have an idea. I haven't attempted to fire it yet and am hesitant to do so in case I can return it. Has anyone seen this before or know what this component does? Thanks! __________________ It's amazing what you can do in 4 billion years.

09/19/2006, 07:49 AM	#2
Aquaduck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Waterloo, Ont. Canada Posts: 1,076	I have many bulbs that look like that and they still fire up and work fine. Your bulb has nice clean electrodes without any blackening so I would say there is still lot's of life left in it. I have no idea what the little metal tab inside does.