How often change mh bulbs -- upgrade options

[malawinovice]

Hello,

I am thinking about making the switch to mh.
I currently have an aquactinics tx5 over my 75 gallon mixed reef tank.

How often do people change the mh bulbs?
What would be an upgrade?

-- a pair of 175 mh
-- a pair of 250 mh

thanks

[arredondojason]

I tryed T5s then switched back to MH in about a month I really didnt like the looks of them I am running 3 250W MH and 2 110W VHO super atanics on my 240G tank.
If you are going to be going retro fit on your tank your next choice is going to be if you want to use DE or SE. I prefer SE because their is alot more bulb choices for you.
hope this helps you out some.

[arredondojason]

sorry forgot I change my bulbs every Jan 1st of each year.

[coralnewbee]

8 to 12 months depending on their bulb and balast combo

[Gold Stripe]

I've got 2x175 watt MH 10k and 2x110 watt VHO on my 75 and works excellent.

[bevoboy]

Hello,

I am thinking about making the switch to mh.
I currently have an aquactinics tx5 over my 75 gallon mixed reef tank.

How often do people change the mh bulbs?
What would be an upgrade?

-- a pair of 175 mh
-- a pair of 250 mh

thanks

I just switched to MH from T5 on my 75G tank LPS tank. Was running 8 tubes of T5 and switched to a retro halide setup. I'm running 2x250W on a galaxy electronic ballast with 20k bulbs. Also running 2 tubes of T5 actinic for dawn/dusk supplementation. Haven't had to change bulbs yet but plan to at the 9 month mark (unless I switch to a different bulb before then).

I was a bit concerned about the sudden increase in intensity. But my corals absolutely LOVE the new lights. I had good PE before but now all my LPS and softies are even more full and have started to really color up. And my maxima is loving the light.