[Myka]

When you say "never held the bulb", do you mean the color faded? The bulb fell out? The bulb broke? What exactly happened? The color will fade in all bulbs more towards white/yellow, but many people run higher Kelvin and run their bulbs longer. Start bluer and it will take longer for them to fade to an ugly color. However, all halides should be replaced yearly to keep the PAR at a decent level.

You're using the Coralife bulbs each time? You're paying $150 for each Coralife bulb?? I would suggest you change bulbs. Coralife is not the best brand by far, and if you're paying $150 for each bulb that's ridiculous! I would suggest you switch to the Phoenix 14,000K bulbs. Should run you about $65-85 depending where you get them, and they are a great bulb. The quality of them is much greater than Coralife, and the color will be outstanding in comparison. You can't go wrong with the Phoenix bulb.

Keep in mind that what the manufacturer lists a bulb at can be very different than what you actually see when you turn it on. Also, different ballasts will fire the same bulb a little bit different so there will be color variances there as well.

Seeing as you're in Didsbury (Ontario I assume), maybe try ordering online from a company that offers free shipping over $100. Although I rarely recommend them because I prefer to shop locally, J&L Aquatics in BC carries the Phoenix DE (double ended) bulb, and they offer free shipping over $100. Two of those bulbs shipped to your door via UPS from J&L will cost you about the same as ONE of those Coralife bulbs you're currently buying! They list the 150w at $53 ea and the 250w at $66 ea.