Ugh, when do I change them?

jamest0o0 · 10/27/2008, 02:29 PM

I completely forgot how long you should have MH bulbs before changing them. Is it 9 months?

patsfan1130 · 10/27/2008, 02:38 PM

I change mine every 12. generally speaking I would say between 9-12. you'll get a lot of different answers. All things being equal...you can let your corals tell you when to change.

joshkennedy07 · 10/27/2008, 02:45 PM

I change mine yearly as well.

Stevenx2 · 10/27/2008, 04:21 PM

12 months here.

Deep_blue15 · 10/27/2008, 04:23 PM

12 months

Bambalam · 10/27/2008, 04:45 PM

Reefkeeping online magazine did a study of this. The bulbs they studied maintained 70% of their output at 18 months, 66% at 24 months and 63% at 27 months.
Manufacturers advise to replace anywhere from 6 to 12 months, but hey - they're in business to sell light bulbs.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php

HTH

Rae C. · 10/27/2008, 04:56 PM

12 months.

Tswifty · 10/27/2008, 05:00 PM

I've always been told 8-10 months

svb57 · 10/27/2008, 05:02 PM

Depends on what you have in the tank. Lots high need SPS then I would change out at 9 months. Low light needing LPS go 18 months...

Jim Mc

10/27/2008, 02:29 PM	#1
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Ugh, when do I change them? I completely forgot how long you should have MH bulbs before changing them. Is it 9 months?

10/27/2008, 02:38 PM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I change mine every 12. generally speaking I would say between 9-12. you'll get a lot of different answers. All things being equal...you can let your corals tell you when to change. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

10/27/2008, 04:56 PM	#7
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	12 months. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

10/27/2008, 05:00 PM	#8
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I've always been told 8-10 months __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

10/27/2008, 02:45 PM	#3
joshkennedy07 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 248	I change mine yearly as well.

10/27/2008, 04:21 PM	#4
Stevenx2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Austria Posts: 370	12 months here.

10/27/2008, 04:23 PM	#5
Deep_blue15 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 57	12 months

10/27/2008, 04:45 PM	#6
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Reefkeeping online magazine did a study of this. The bulbs they studied maintained 70% of their output at 18 months, 66% at 24 months and 63% at 27 months. Manufacturers advise to replace anywhere from 6 to 12 months, but hey - they're in business to sell light bulbs. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php HTH

10/27/2008, 05:02 PM	#9
svb57 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Romeoville, Ill Posts: 1,907	Depends on what you have in the tank. Lots high need SPS then I would change out at 9 months. Low light needing LPS go 18 months... Jim Mc