Bulb Changes

fishtail12 · 11/25/2007, 08:05 PM

Hi, got my tank setup from a friend in May and was told I need to change the bulbs every 6 months. Is this right?

2 metal halides 250W each
2 VHO lights that are four foot long

I haven't changed them and was due in Aug/Sept. Could this cause alge growth in the tank? I have hair alge growing and all test show good.

Thanks

Nitrate-20
Amm-0
Phos-0
Nitrite-0
PH-8.4

CruzinKim · 11/25/2007, 08:10 PM

You don't really need to change your MH bulbs until over a year. You probably have nitrates and phosphates that is causing your hair algae problem.

kdblove_99 · 11/25/2007, 11:28 PM

Yeah 6 months and you are throwing away a good bulb! I would say between 9-12months but i think 12 would be fine and if its DE probably closer to 18 months

11/25/2007, 08:05 PM	#1
fishtail12 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 21	Bulb Changes Hi, got my tank setup from a friend in May and was told I need to change the bulbs every 6 months. Is this right? 2 metal halides 250W each 2 VHO lights that are four foot long I haven't changed them and was due in Aug/Sept. Could this cause alge growth in the tank? I have hair alge growing and all test show good. Thanks Nitrate-20 Amm-0 Phos-0 Nitrite-0 PH-8.4

11/25/2007, 08:10 PM	#2
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	You don't really need to change your MH bulbs until over a year. You probably have nitrates and phosphates that is causing your hair algae problem.

11/25/2007, 11:28 PM	#3
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Yeah 6 months and you are throwing away a good bulb! I would say between 9-12months but i think 12 would be fine and if its DE probably closer to 18 months