VHO Lifespan

gdm42001 · 03/19/2006, 11:34 AM

How often do you change out your VHO Bulbs?

gdm42001 · 03/22/2006, 09:29 PM

Bump

gdm42001 · 03/30/2006, 01:41 PM

Looks like the majority go for 12 months

pvtschultz · 03/30/2006, 01:44 PM

On a e-ballast, 12 months is the norm from what I have heard/read.

gdm42001 · 03/30/2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pvtschultz
On a e-ballast, 12 months is the norm from what I have heard/read.

Cool, I am using the Ice Cap 660

AcroSteve · 03/30/2006, 03:20 PM

Are you talking actinic only, or other types?

Actinics are less critical and can be run much longer, IMO. I have two 6' bulbs that are over 2 years old.

If VHO's where my primary lights, I would never run them that long.

12 months max.

gdm42001 · 03/30/2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AcroSteve
Are you talking actinic only, or other types?

Actinics are less critical and can be run much longer, IMO. I have two 6' bulbs that are over 2 years old.

If VHO's where my primary lights, I would never run them that long.

12 months max.

These are in combination with 2 MH's
I have one Super Actinic and one Aquasun VHO

Reefmaniac1 · 03/30/2006, 07:20 PM

On an IceCap ballast, lumen output is still above 90% of original output after 18 months of usage. I go at least 18 months...actinics can go longer.

View Poll Results: How often do you change out your VHO Bulbs?
4 Months	0	0%
6 Months	4	16.00%
8 Months	1	4.00%
12 Months or longer	20	80.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

03/19/2006, 11:34 AM	#1
gdm42001 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,051	VHO Lifespan How often do you change out your VHO Bulbs? __________________ Guy There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Current Tank Info: No tank for the first time in over 23 years

03/22/2006, 09:29 PM	#2
gdm42001 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,051	Bump __________________ Guy There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Current Tank Info: No tank for the first time in over 23 years

03/30/2006, 01:41 PM	#3
gdm42001 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,051	Looks like the majority go for 12 months __________________ Guy There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Current Tank Info: No tank for the first time in over 23 years

03/30/2006, 03:20 PM	#6
AcroSteve Make my Funk a P-Funk Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Electric Avenue Posts: 5,092	Are you talking actinic only, or other types? Actinics are less critical and can be run much longer, IMO. I have two 6' bulbs that are over 2 years old. If VHO's where my primary lights, I would never run them that long. 12 months max. __________________ **************** "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." -- The Webb Wilder Credo -- don't go ninjin' nobody that don't need ninjin'! Current Tank Info: 220g custom plywood. SPS heavy with Sequence Hammerhead return with 4-Way OM. Tunze 6100, 6200 and Wavebox. 5000btu DIY Chiller. Lighting is 10K mh 250W / VHO Actinic Skimer - H&S A200-2x1260

03/30/2006, 01:44 PM	#4
pvtschultz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Berlin , WI Posts: 1,247	On a e-ballast, 12 months is the norm from what I have heard/read.

03/30/2006, 07:20 PM	#8
Reefmaniac1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,580	On an IceCap ballast, lumen output is still above 90% of original output after 18 months of usage. I go at least 18 months...actinics can go longer. __________________ "Stupidity is not necessarily punishable by violence. Although, there are days when I wish it were." - Solomon Short Current Tank Info: None due to disaster...and moving.