Coralvue Bulbs

[Jimbo]

I just read through 20+ pages on reef cxxxxxl about bleaching with Coralvue bulbs. Thought I would summarize what was said for people on this board.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=347273

Many people have reported bleaching coral burning with Coralvue Single Ended bulbs. Testing was performed and it was found that the Coralvue 10k bulb produces +30% more UVB than Ushios 10k. Since DE bulbs need shielding UV was not a problem. No testing has been done on the HQI ballast as far as UV output of these bulbs but people have reported higher instances of bleaching. If you place a piece of glass under the bulb envelope you can decrease the UV output manually

Coralvue had a problem with thier igniters and after a week or so they would stop working. This happened to me.

Coralvue has changed the igniters and have made changes to the glass housing to block out more UV. If you have a problematic bulb you can contact Coralvue directly.

david@coralvue.com

[SaltBlock]

Thanks for the info.

I could be reading this wrong, but are you suggesting that Coralvue SE bulbs should not be used without UV shielding?

AEB

[hitillidie]

Actually, I know the engineer who develop this bulb, I've never heard of this with his bulbs but when I see him next I'll bring it up. He's a good guy. He'll tell me te truth. I'll give you guys a report.

[Jimbo]

On the above links David at Coralvue is the one that said they have modified the bulbs glass and igniter. The second link is some testing done by Dana Riddle on UV output of the bulbs. He has tested the old bulbs and new ones.

Oops put in the wrong link for the testing.
Will put in the correct link
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=347273

Several people have received there new bulbs and say the glass is thicker, since the manufacturer went to this trouble there must have been something up.

If you have an older bulb I would put a strip of glass about 3" wide 4" or so below the bulb's inner envelope this should cut down the UV.