MH long lasting?

shabreeson · 12/29/2006, 05:45 PM

how long will it take for a typical 250W MH light to burn out given it will be on for 10 hours every day?

zoomfish1 · 12/29/2006, 05:52 PM

About a year, give or take.

shabreeson · 12/29/2006, 05:54 PM

thanks for the great info!

aclos3 · 12/29/2006, 06:07 PM

Maybe you know this already, but the bulbs fail in ways other than burning out. Depending on the type of bulb and ballast used, after a certain amount of time, the bulbs have a tendency to color shift. This shift can be harmful to your corals and give you algae problems.

Lower quality bubls (often found on ebay for super low prices) often color shift after just a few months, while most bulbs should be ok for a year or so. If you are using the proper ballast for your good quality bulbs, you should get a year from them no problem.... But I would replace them after a year even if they seem to be runing ok.

shabreeson · 12/29/2006, 09:39 PM

what if you buy a light set up from ebay that includes one 250W light, then but good quality bulbs in them? where is a good place to get bulbs?

shabreeson · 12/29/2006, 09:40 PM

bump

12/29/2006, 05:45 PM	#1
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	MH long lasting? how long will it take for a typical 250W MH light to burn out given it will be on for 10 hours every day?

12/29/2006, 05:52 PM	#2
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	About a year, give or take. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

12/29/2006, 05:54 PM	#3
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	thanks for the great info! __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

12/29/2006, 09:39 PM	#5
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	what if you buy a light set up from ebay that includes one 250W light, then but good quality bulbs in them? where is a good place to get bulbs? __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

12/29/2006, 09:40 PM	#6
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	bump __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

12/29/2006, 06:07 PM	#4
aclos3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 394	Maybe you know this already, but the bulbs fail in ways other than burning out. Depending on the type of bulb and ballast used, after a certain amount of time, the bulbs have a tendency to color shift. This shift can be harmful to your corals and give you algae problems. Lower quality bubls (often found on ebay for super low prices) often color shift after just a few months, while most bulbs should be ok for a year or so. If you are using the proper ballast for your good quality bulbs, you should get a year from them no problem.... But I would replace them after a year even if they seem to be runing ok.