When should I replace my halides?

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 09:10 AM

When do you guys/girls normally replace your halide bulbs and how do you know when to change them?

Andrew · 09/09/2007, 09:21 AM

Every 6 months is a good rule to go by. Do you know when you changed them the last time or bought your Mh light?

Shiandy · 09/09/2007, 09:22 AM

Every 12 months is a good time to replace your bulbs

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew
Every 6 months is a good rule to go by. Do you know when you changed them the last time or bought your Mh light?

its been 8 months.

Travis L. Stevens · 09/09/2007, 09:28 AM

The general opinion is 6-9 months. They should last for a year with degraded benefit. After the year mark, things will start to go down fast. I know this from experience. I prefer to start saving money at the 6 month mark, and I should have enough to buy a new bulb by the nine month mark. If not, I know I'll have the money by the year mark.

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 09:48 AM

what bulbs do all of you use?

Shiandy · 09/09/2007, 10:00 AM

I use a 20k 150w BLV & 2 x 14k 250w BLV

Travis L. Stevens · 09/09/2007, 10:27 AM

I have a 250w Single Ended XM 15,000ÂºK bulb over my 29g tank. The PAR is pretty low. I think I'll get the XM 10,000ÂºK next. Visual color of the tank doesn't appeal to me as much as growth of my corals. Plus, I have actinic supplementation that helps.

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 10:50 AM

im running 12k reeflux and i honestly feel like they needed replaced almost 2 months ago. My growth has slowed to almost nothing.

Aquarist007 · 09/09/2007, 01:01 PM

IMO it depends on the coral--I have all lps---my bulbs have been on 11 months. The last three weeks things have been going gangbusters--unbelieveable growth
---this i largely due to improved feed techniques, water chemistry parameters, flow rate ect--points that I have followed from the experts on this site

bottom line---have not noticed any negative effect from the aging lights.

SNAKEMANVET · 09/09/2007, 01:25 PM

I run 2 150 xm's 14k on a 20L, i like the blue color.

Just Jim · 09/09/2007, 02:36 PM

par is going to have a lot to say in this. If you have a low par to begin with your life of the bulb will be noticed faster. I know I had a 20k xm bulb that only lasted about 7 months, but the 10k xm's last about 12.

Aquarist007 · 09/09/2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goldenboy
par is going to have a lot to say in this. If you have a low par to begin with your life of the bulb will be noticed faster. I know I had a 20k xm bulb that only lasted about 7 months, but the 10k xm's last about 12.

thanks--that explains alot--mine are all 10 K

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goldenboy
par is going to have a lot to say in this. If you have a low par to begin with your life of the bulb will be noticed faster. I know I had a 20k xm bulb that only lasted about 7 months, but the 10k xm's last about 12.

I guess thats why my 12k reeflux seem like they need replaced. I mostly keep sps, can anyone tell me what the signs would be of needing bulb replacement?

Would it mostly be slow growth?

Just Jim · 09/09/2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nikonosis
I guess thats why my 12k reeflux seem like they need replaced. I mostly keep sps, can anyone tell me what the signs would be of needing bulb replacement?

Would it mostly be slow growth?

I don't have the spectrum link handy, but slow growth can be a sign. I picked the 10k xms becuase of the high par. Most SE bulbs aren't even close. The drawback is they look like junk. I need a lot of actnics to make it look good....

nikonosis · 09/09/2007, 09:07 PM

I am going to be getting some 250 hamilton 14k bulbs. It seems alot of people have success with them. i have heard the reeflux10ks are good but I can get the hamiltons cheaper.

09/09/2007, 09:10 AM	#1
nikonosis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,935	When should I replace my halides? When do you guys/girls normally replace your halide bulbs and how do you know when to change them? __________________ Home is where you hang your @ 75g rimless starfire 30x24x24, Bubble Magus NAC6, 2x Vortech MP10's and 1 MP40, MaxSpect G2-160 LED, Neptune Systems AquaController Apex/w wxm module, Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump, Aqua UV Sterilizer, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor, Marine Magic doser, Aquahub DIY Top-it-Off Kit and Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

09/09/2007, 09:28 AM	#5
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	The general opinion is 6-9 months. They should last for a year with degraded benefit. After the year mark, things will start to go down fast. I know this from experience. I prefer to start saving money at the 6 month mark, and I should have enough to buy a new bulb by the nine month mark. If not, I know I'll have the money by the year mark. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

09/09/2007, 09:48 AM	#6
nikonosis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,935	what bulbs do all of you use? __________________ Home is where you hang your @ 75g rimless starfire 30x24x24, Bubble Magus NAC6, 2x Vortech MP10's and 1 MP40, MaxSpect G2-160 LED, Neptune Systems AquaController Apex/w wxm module, Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump, Aqua UV Sterilizer, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor, Marine Magic doser, Aquahub DIY Top-it-Off Kit and Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

09/09/2007, 10:27 AM	#8
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	I have a 250w Single Ended XM 15,000ÂºK bulb over my 29g tank. The PAR is pretty low. I think I'll get the XM 10,000ÂºK next. Visual color of the tank doesn't appeal to me as much as growth of my corals. Plus, I have actinic supplementation that helps. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

09/09/2007, 10:50 AM	#9
nikonosis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,935	im running 12k reeflux and i honestly feel like they needed replaced almost 2 months ago. My growth has slowed to almost nothing. __________________ Home is where you hang your @ 75g rimless starfire 30x24x24, Bubble Magus NAC6, 2x Vortech MP10's and 1 MP40, MaxSpect G2-160 LED, Neptune Systems AquaController Apex/w wxm module, Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump, Aqua UV Sterilizer, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor, Marine Magic doser, Aquahub DIY Top-it-Off Kit and Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

09/09/2007, 09:21 AM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Every 6 months is a good rule to go by. Do you know when you changed them the last time or bought your Mh light?

09/09/2007, 09:22 AM	#3
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	Every 12 months is a good time to replace your bulbs

09/09/2007, 10:00 AM	#7
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	I use a 20k 150w BLV & 2 x 14k 250w BLV

09/09/2007, 01:01 PM	#10
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	IMO it depends on the coral--I have all lps---my bulbs have been on 11 months. The last three weeks things have been going gangbusters--unbelieveable growth ---this i largely due to improved feed techniques, water chemistry parameters, flow rate ect--points that I have followed from the experts on this site bottom line---have not noticed any negative effect from the aging lights. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/09/2007, 01:25 PM	#11
SNAKEMANVET PREMIUM MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: TRENTON Tn Posts: 4,486	I run 2 150 xm's 14k on a 20L, i like the blue color.

09/09/2007, 02:36 PM	#12
Just Jim Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: berks county PA Posts: 1,660	par is going to have a lot to say in this. If you have a low par to begin with your life of the bulb will be noticed faster. I know I had a 20k xm bulb that only lasted about 7 months, but the 10k xm's last about 12. __________________ Big tanks are only big to people who don't have them. Current Tank Info: 240g Double sided DT, 45g sump, 55g fuge, and now a 150g new reef

09/09/2007, 09:07 PM	#16
nikonosis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,935	I am going to be getting some 250 hamilton 14k bulbs. It seems alot of people have success with them. i have heard the reeflux10ks are good but I can get the hamiltons cheaper. __________________ Home is where you hang your @ 75g rimless starfire 30x24x24, Bubble Magus NAC6, 2x Vortech MP10's and 1 MP40, MaxSpect G2-160 LED, Neptune Systems AquaController Apex/w wxm module, Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump, Aqua UV Sterilizer, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor, Marine Magic doser, Aquahub DIY Top-it-Off Kit and Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump