SE MH bulb/nipple placement?

jmc74 · 03/11/2008, 10:49 PM

what is the optimal position of the SE MH bulb/nipple placementon the bulb?

PaulErik · 03/12/2008, 08:53 AM

The nipple should be pointing from horizontal to up. This assures a more evenly heated arc tube. If the nipple is pointing down this can act as a cool/cold spot and may not allow all or most of the halides to vaporize and reach the arc stream. In multiple lamp setups all the lamps should be positioned in the same way. This assures a more uniform color and output from the lamps.

IRISSERVICE · 03/12/2008, 09:14 AM

well described paul

humptrax · 03/12/2008, 09:21 AM

check advanced aquarist. nipple orientation does not matter because it varies from bulb to bulb.

sanjay, i believe, wrote the piece.

IRISSERVICE · 03/12/2008, 09:24 AM

well it seems to mater more on german bulbs..
i can change a radium,aquaconnect bulb color just by turning it...

PaulErik · 03/12/2008, 10:16 AM

That test/article showed it doesn't matter but the sample size was very small and will not show much difference because only one lamp type of each was used.

In the commercial lighting field when lamps are operated horizontally and if the lamps are not oriented in the same position you will notice a less uniform color and output from the lamps. Some commercial metal halide lamp manufacturers have started manufacturing lamps without a nipple. These lamps show the best uniform color and output when multiple lamps are used.

jmc74 · 03/12/2008, 08:10 PM

thanks... I will turn them as now they are down, but i do get more blue this way... on my 14k and 20k SE reef optics

TwistedTiger · 03/12/2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by humptrax
check advanced aquarist. nipple orientation does not matter because it varies from bulb to bulb.

It does vary from bulb to bulb but some bulb makers do suggest certain positions. Coralvue suggests a 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock position for its reeflux bulbs and it does affect their color. Not sure about other bulbs but it may indeed be the same case for at least some of them.

03/11/2008, 10:49 PM	#1
jmc74 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Antioch, CA Posts: 691	SE MH bulb/nipple placement? what is the optimal position of the SE MH bulb/nipple placementon the bulb?

03/12/2008, 09:14 AM	#3
IRISSERVICE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beechhurst,New York Posts: 620	well described paul __________________ Tank-125G Starphire Lighting- 4x 60" Reefbrites Skimmer- H&S A200-1250 MRC Sump Refugium---Circulation Tunze Wave Box---Main Pump - Seq3200 3phase W/ VFD Cooling Current Tank Info: 125 gallon Starphire euro braced

03/12/2008, 09:24 AM	#5
IRISSERVICE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beechhurst,New York Posts: 620	well it seems to mater more on german bulbs.. i can change a radium,aquaconnect bulb color just by turning it... __________________ Tank-125G Starphire Lighting- 4x 60" Reefbrites Skimmer- H&S A200-1250 MRC Sump Refugium---Circulation Tunze Wave Box---Main Pump - Seq3200 3phase W/ VFD Cooling Current Tank Info: 125 gallon Starphire euro braced

03/12/2008, 08:53 AM	#2
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	The nipple should be pointing from horizontal to up. This assures a more evenly heated arc tube. If the nipple is pointing down this can act as a cool/cold spot and may not allow all or most of the halides to vaporize and reach the arc stream. In multiple lamp setups all the lamps should be positioned in the same way. This assures a more uniform color and output from the lamps.

03/12/2008, 09:21 AM	#4
humptrax Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 119	check advanced aquarist. nipple orientation does not matter because it varies from bulb to bulb. sanjay, i believe, wrote the piece.

03/12/2008, 10:16 AM	#6
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	That test/article showed it doesn't matter but the sample size was very small and will not show much difference because only one lamp type of each was used. In the commercial lighting field when lamps are operated horizontally and if the lamps are not oriented in the same position you will notice a less uniform color and output from the lamps. Some commercial metal halide lamp manufacturers have started manufacturing lamps without a nipple. These lamps show the best uniform color and output when multiple lamps are used.

03/12/2008, 08:10 PM	#7
jmc74 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Antioch, CA Posts: 691	thanks... I will turn them as now they are down, but i do get more blue this way... on my 14k and 20k SE reef optics