MH bulb question

mario4254 · 02/13/2009, 10:15 PM

a buddy of mine got a used reef set up comes with MH DE 250w he doesnt know how long ago bulbs were changed is there a way to tell? just looking at the bulb or fireing it up? thanks for any help

BLKTANG · 02/13/2009, 10:32 PM

on a DE bulb i look for alot of the "white ashy" looking stuff inside the bulb for a use indicator.

I say get new bulbs,& forget about the guessing.

A DE bulb will start to loose alot of PAR after 6mo,& decline rapidly from there if the bulb is used 8 hours a day.

reefscape15 · 02/14/2009, 07:37 AM

+1 with BLKTANG. just get a new bulb and then you don't have to worry about it

jener8tionx · 02/14/2009, 08:34 AM

I would say don't spend the $$ unless you don't like the bulb. According to:

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

The par is pretty stable out to a year. If the color shifts visibly, I would change them out.

amadillo · 02/14/2009, 10:21 AM

yea get some new lights, 14k Phoenix

02/13/2009, 10:15 PM	#1
mario4254 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Barrington il Posts: 1,002	MH bulb question a buddy of mine got a used reef set up comes with MH DE 250w he doesnt know how long ago bulbs were changed is there a way to tell? just looking at the bulb or fireing it up? thanks for any help

02/13/2009, 10:32 PM	#2
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	on a DE bulb i look for alot of the "white ashy" looking stuff inside the bulb for a use indicator. I say get new bulbs,& forget about the guessing. A DE bulb will start to loose alot of PAR after 6mo,& decline rapidly from there if the bulb is used 8 hours a day. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

02/14/2009, 07:37 AM	#3
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	+1 with BLKTANG. just get a new bulb and then you don't have to worry about it __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

02/14/2009, 10:21 AM	#5
amadillo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 50	yea get some new lights, 14k Phoenix __________________ --Ronnie

02/14/2009, 08:34 AM	#4
jener8tionx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N. Mesa, Az Posts: 524	I would say don't spend the $$ unless you don't like the bulb. According to: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php The par is pretty stable out to a year. If the color shifts visibly, I would change them out.