How fast does a UV tube usually blacken on the ends? 1st use

[momo4]

As in, if mine went black after the first day of use, and now after just a few weeks it won't go on, does that mean it's a bad bulb? And that the last 2 bulbs I've gotten were both bad because they only lasted a few weeks and blackened on one or both ends immediately?

I had the first one replaced by ZooMed themselves, and the replacement they sent me went black on the end after the first day, was used for a few weeks, was off their tanks for a month b/c the fixture died (or so I thought, now I'm thinking it was just the bulb!!) and now that I'm trying it in a new fixture it won't work?! It comes on halfway, flickers all kinds but won't kick in. The fixture works b/c I've tried it with regular bulbs, but neither of these UV ones work.

Is it just me or does that not seem right?

 

[Gail]

I don't know about the black ends but I had a similar issue with bulbs not working recently. I replaced the ignition flasher on the fixture and the new bulb works perfect now. Check to see if your fixture has a flasher, its a cylinder that twists into a hole, does that even make sense? anyway, a new flasher costs around .75 and can be found at any hardware store just make sure you take the old one in with you so you get the proper replacement.

This is the kind I use
http://www.1000bulbs.com/images/part-203050-600x.jpg

 

[momo4]

These are ballast fixtures, no flashers... and it's a new fixture, so I know it's the bulbs 48" ReptiSun 10.0's... ugh... Just weird that they only worked for a month and blew...

 

[Goonie]

[Moved from General to Enclosures]

 

[BadCon]

Ignore me, missed where you tested with regular bulbs.

 

[Vallone188]

all uvb tubes have darker ends

 

[pudden318]

i have a 48" in my big viv and its ends arent black you sure its not the fixture have you tried replacing it?

 

[momo4]

Well that was what we were wondering - would the fixture have burnt out the bulbs that quick? Esp. when a regular bulb is fine in it? Just seems odd... and yes, we have a new fixture but still have the blackened out bulbs, and they won't work in it either, haven't had a chance to get a new one yet, the store I go to is out of them and I'm not sure if I should try the VitaLite brand since I haven't had any feedback on that one yet.

What fun I tell you, lol

 

[pudden318]

i got mine from lowes, and havent had any problems and it was only 20 bucks.

i see in your siggy you have a great dane do you have any pics of her. i used to have a fawn, they're such loving dogs, i miss mine dearly. now i breed toy yorkies, huge difference lol

good luck with the lights i know how frustrating this things can be.