How do I get that dark purple

[Slowmovangogh]

So I built an irradiation chamber to purple up some bottles about 6 months ago. I have had some success getting a few to a nice light amethyst color but I wanted to know how people manage to get them so dark. I am using 2 60 watt tub germicidal bulbs with a workhorse ballast. I bought generic bulbs and not the name brand Philips ones. Am I not getting the dark color because the bulbs are inferior or do I just need to leave them longer? Some have been in there for 4-5 months going 24 hours a day. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Old man digger]

So I built an irradiation chamber to purple up some bottles about 6 months ago. I have had some success getting a few to a nice light amethyst color but I wanted to know how people manage to get them so dark. I am using 2 60 watt tub germicidal bulbs with a workhorse ballast. I bought generic bulbs and not the name brand Philips ones. Am I not getting the dark color because the bulbs are inferior or do I just need to leave them longer? Some have been in there for 4-5 months going 24 hours a day. Any insight would be appreciated.

First, why do you want to deepen the color? In a natural state the glass will usually turn a light Amethyst and not that dark color you see online for sale.
If you really want to go to the dark color try lining a container with aluminum foil, then place the bulbs and bottles in the container. That extra reflection may just do what you want. I will not guarantee that it will help, but by intensifying the reflection off of the foil iy may work and its cheaper than buying heavy duty bulbs.

 

[CanadianBottles]

I suspect the people who get deeper purple are using a much stronger UV source. I think light amethyst is more desirable though, I find the extremely dark purple to be quite ugly, especially on bottles with any mineralization on the glass.

 

[Slowmovangogh]

First, why do you want to deepen the color? In a natural state the glass will usually turn a light Amethyst and not that dark color you see online for sale.
If you really want to go to the dark color try lining a container with aluminum foil, then place the bulbs and bottles in the container. That extra reflection may just do what you want. I will not guarantee that it will help, but by intensifying the reflection off of the foil iy may work and its cheaper than buying heavy duty bulbs.

Thanks for the reply. I agree that the light amethyst is prettier than the dark purple but for worthless slicks I just kinda wanted to see it happen. I am also one of those guys that cuts broken bottles into glasses and I think maybe in that case the deep purple might look good. I do have the chamber lined with reflectors. I am thinking it may have something to do with the quality of the bulbs.

Thanks again.

 

[Slowmovangogh]

I suspect the people who get deeper purple are using a much stronger UV source. I think light amethyst is more desirable though, I find the extremely dark purple to be quite ugly, especially on bottles with any mineralization on the glass.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not positive but I think 60watt tuv bulbs are the strongest available. They are considered hospital grade. I think the quality of the bulb might be the issue. For the first few weeks they had a very strong ozone output but I can barely smell it all now. I also agree that the lighter amethyst color looks nicer. I am one of those guys that cuts broken bottles into drinking glasses and thought in that case the deep purple color might look good. One of my 2 bulbs is showing signs of burning out already so maybe when I replace it, I'll pony up the extra money and get the Philips bulbs.
Thanks again.