How often doyou replace halide bulbs

[PeterC2508]

looking for some input on the matter

[kfisc]

1x/year, but others do it more often, depends on bulb/ballast type, especially on how long you run them a day.

[gulfstream]

Replacing bulbs depends on types of corals you have,having sps and clams means keeping your light for longer time,thus shortening the life of your bulbs...there are people who replace their bulbs almost every 6 months due to longer use and the decreasing K rating of each hour their lights are on..
For the average aquarist like most of us,every year seems about right or every 3000 hours of use.
cheers

[Tswifty]

10 months seems to be the standard on MH bulbs.

However, it's one of those "it depends/preference" type of issue, because as stated above over time the bulbs will go out of spectrum which can/will fuel nuissance algae.

[sps1-2-b]

I was told that 400W Radiums SE on a Galaxy ballast should be replaced every 6 mos because this ballast overdrives the bulb. But I have heard that 10 -12 mos is the average.

[crvz]

Depends on the run time, too doesnt it? I usually run mine over the sump for a good 10 hours, but some folks only run them for 4-5 hours, depending on coral needs. that could factor into month life.

[caorca]

I run my halides 8 hrs a day and I rencently replaced them after one year. Boy what a difference! The old bulbs get dimmer over time and you don't notice it until you replace them. I think I'll replace these in 10 months instead of waiting a year.